Argumentative Essay: Gender Equality In Higher Education In Australia

It has often been suggested that Australia, and especially higher education (i.e. university) in Australia is meritocratic; that is, Australia and its educational system are believed to be social systems in which ones’ success depends exclusively on their ability and talent, rather than their class, race or gender. Equality in higher education in Australia has been of great debate for a number of years, with many differing aspects as to why and whether or not equality has indeed been achieved. Although there has been a slight positive change in most demographics, full representation of each in higher education is still yet to be attained. This essay will argue how females are still considerably underrepresented amongst specific academic fields despite the continuing increase of female participation in higher education over recent decades. The essay will continue on to discuss the role of feminism as well as how cultural capital and the hidden curriculum in schools contribute to why females continue to be underrepresented in higher education, thus challenging the notion that Australia is meritocratic. …show more content…
As of 2011, 57% of the 1,069,000 students enrolled in tertiary studies, were women (ABS, 2012). With such statistics increasing year after year, and participation rates of women in tertiary education now in ascendance, many believe the issue of gender equality in higher education to be no more. However, this claim of gender equality having been achieved in higher education seems to refer only to the symmetry of female and male enrolments throughout tertiary