GenderDifferencesRead the section on Gender and subject choice on pages 132 to 136 of the book.

Now study tables 3C and 3D in the book and answer the following questions:

A. A levels

  1. What proportion of those studying Physics are male?
  2. What proportion of those studying Sociology is female?
  3. Which Science subject attracts more female than male students?
  4. Which subject has the highest proportion of male students?
  5. Which subject is most equally balanced in terms of its gender profile?
  6. What do you think the male-dominated subjects have in common?
  7. What do you think the female-dominated subjects have in common?

B. Work based learning

  1. What proportion of those studying Information and communication technology is male?
  2. What proportion of studying Health, public services and care are female?
  3. What proportion of all young people in work based learning are female?
  4. Which subject has the highest proportion of male students?
  5. Which subject has the highest proportion of female students?
  6. Which subject is most equally balanced in terms of its gender profile?
  7. What do you think the male-dominated subjects have in common?

C. For both types of learning (A levels and work based)

  1. Identify and explain four factors that may influence a student in their subject choice.
  2. Why is it true to say that vocational courses show a ‘more exaggerated pattern’ of gender choices than A level?
  3. Why did the introduction of the National Curriculum produce an increase in gender differences in subject choice?