Gender Underachievement Of Boys Essay

The institution of education has proved to be pivotal in the construction and development of children and young people. Through the education system, Individuals learn and acquire different skills, aptitudes and abilities which become beneficial towards gaining future employment. It can be argued that the education system acts as a key institution in reinforcing gender stereotypes. The education system also acts as a key site of gender configuration playing, socialising and forming the identities of children and their roles in society. Gender equality in education is promoted through the National Curriculum which Francis (2000:8 ), argues ‘compels pupils to pursue the same core subjects in school, but once compulsory schooling is completed …show more content…
This shows the relative importance of gender in understanding the educational experiences of young people as it highlights how without the National Curriculum gender segregation can occur as a result of subject …show more content…
These subcultures are formed as the result of a reluctance from boys to conform to the educational schooling system rejecting school system values, ‘male see little value in secondary school, and so perceive early entry into the labour market as a more pressing concern, with the attendant ‘adult status’ associated with employment and wages’. Darling and Glendinning (1996:81 ). The underachievement of boys becomes prevalent as they may prioritise leaving school at the age of 16, favour of getting jobs and apprenticeships. This can be problematic, as boys may focus on gaining jobs for the short term, rather than pursuing careers; thus failing to understand the impact of educational qualifications in the long term. This lowers the achievement of boys as they gain enter into low level jobs which may not necessarily require high level qualifications, and acceleration into higher level position occur through spending years in certain