Critical Sociology and Gender Inequality in Education
Background Information About Critical Sociology
Critical sociology emerged as a response to perceived limitations of positivist sociology. Positivist sociology posits that reality is objective and the researcher’s role is to observe and document societal functions. Karl Marx, a foundational figure in critical sociology, challenged the notion of society as a static, unchangeable “natural” system. Critical sociology, conversely, emphasizes the need for social change.
The Importance of Change
Critical sociology acknowledges “facts” but, unlike positivist sociology, it poses moral and political questions, such as, “Should we have this much inequality?” Typically, critical sociologists advocate for a more equitable society. They reject the idea of scientific neutrality, arguing that researchers should be social activists striving for greater social equality. Critical sociology aims to transform not only society but also the nature of research itself. Researchers and subjects collaborate to amplify the voices of marginalized groups and promote a more just society.
Sociology and Politics
Positivist sociology contends that when critical sociology becomes political, it sacrifices scientific objectivity and becomes susceptible to bias. Critical sociology counters that all research is inherently political. Sociologists, therefore, cannot avoid their work being political but can choose which stance to support. Critical sociology is an activist approach that links knowledge to action, seeking not only to understand the world but also to improve it. Positivist sociology tends to attract researchers who strive for neutrality or hold more conservative political views.
Gender and Education
Historically, education and formal curricula in developed societies were structured along gender lines. Women’s access to higher education was limited, and they couldn’t earn degrees until 1878. Today, secondary school curricula no longer explicitly differentiate between boys and girls. However, subtle gender biases persist.
Points of Entry for Gender Differences
- School Textbooks: Storybooks in primary schools often depicted boys as proactive and independent, while girls were portrayed as passive or absent. Secondary school science and math textbooks frequently underrepresented females, reinforcing the perception of these subjects as “male domains.”
- Subject Choice: Girls are often steered towards less academically rigorous subjects compared to boys. In 2001/02, approximately 75% of students taking A-levels in physics and computer studies in the UK were male.
- Achievement: Globally, girls’ academic performance has surpassed boys’ at all levels.
Gender and Achievement
Historically, girls outperformed boys in school until secondary school, where they lagged behind, with boys excelling at the university level. This was attributed to male-dominated curricula and teachers giving more attention to boys. However, girls now consistently outperform boys across all subjects and levels in the British education system. The issue of “failing boys” has gained attention due to its association with social problems like crime, unemployment, substance abuse, and teenage parenthood. This has been termed a “crisis in masculinity.” Boys with poor educational outcomes face challenges securing good jobs and forming stable families in post-industrial economies with fewer unskilled manual labor opportunities. Notably, women still constitute the majority of part-time workers, often in low-paying, low-status service sector jobs.
Explaining the Gender Gap
Several explanations account for the shift in gender performance in schools:
- Influence of the Women’s Movement: Increased female role models and higher self-esteem among girls.
- Increased Awareness of Gender Discrimination: Schools have implemented measures to reduce gender stereotyping.
- Learning Styles: Girls are often perceived as more organized and motivated learners.
- Anti-Education Attitudes Among Boys: Some boys exhibit resistance to education and learning.
- Gender Gap in Language Skills: A global phenomenon.
- Hidden Inequalities: The focus on “failing boys” may overshadow other inequalities, such as the underrepresentation of girls in STEM fields.
Factors like class and ethnicity can contribute more significantly to educational inequalities than gender. The underachievement of working-class boys may be linked more to socioeconomic disadvantages than gender.
Gender and Higher Education
The expansion of higher education has seen a rise in female student enrollment. However, subject choices in American higher education still reflect traditional gender norms, with women gravitating towards education and healthcare, leading to lower-paying careers compared to male-dominated fields like computer science and engineering. Men have not shown a reciprocal trend towards traditionally female-dominated subjects.
Trends Towards Gender Equality
- Increased female representation among academics and professors.
- Persistent gender pay gap in higher education, with women earning significantly less than men.
Conclusion
Girls and women have made substantial progress in education over the past four decades. However, it remains uncertain whether these gendered advantages will persist in the 21st century. Addressing the remaining gender disparities and promoting true equality in education requires ongoing effort and attention.