Developments in the field of gender theory as applied to education since the 1970s are briefly reviewed in order to highlight key challenges and debates around gender categorisation and identification in gender and education. We argue that conundrums of categorisation have haunted, and continue to haunt, the field of gender theory, and empirical…

Gender distinction has been shown to characterise both undergraduate experiences and outcomes. Yet research recounted in this article supports work that shows that young people are often unaware of such trends, subscribing instead to individualist perspectives that foreground equality of opportunity and agency. This article examines the gender…

The extent to which the ideas of certain influential, contemporary social theorists who arguably analyse selves as disembedded from social structures can contribute to the theorising of gender and education is explored in this article. We begin by considering hegemonic explanations of neo-liberal society and particularly the emphasis on…

British government policy on teacher recruitment gives a high priority to increasing the number of male teachers, particularly in primary schools. This focus stems from concern to challenge 'boys' underachievement': policy-makers believe that 'matching' teachers and pupils by gender will improve boys' engagement with school. Yet there is little…

In many western countries, government statements about the need to recruit more men to primary teaching are frequently supported by references to the importance of male teachers as role models for boys. The suggestion is that boys will both achieve better and behave better when taught by male teachers, because they will identify with them and want…

In recent years, policy-makers in England, Australia and other countries have called for measures to increase male recruitment to the teaching profession, particularly to the primary sector. This policy of targeted recruitment is predicated upon a number of unexamined assumptions about the benefits of matching teachers and pupils by gender. For…

Investigates whether primary school girls took up powerful positions in role-play groups and how these children were positioned through gender discourses during their interaction. Analysis suggests that children's constructions of gender appear potentially to empower boys and disempower girls in interaction. It suggests that discourse analysis can…

This paper reports on findings relating to a project on gender and essay assessment in HE. It focuses on one aspect of the study: the assessment of and feedback given to two sample essays by 50 historians based at universities in England and Wales. We found considerable variation both as to the classification awarded to the essays and to positive…

Students' post-compulsory pathways and occupational aspirations in the UK have been shown to differ considerably according to gender, social class and ethnicity. School-based work experience provides many pupils with their first significant encounters with the world of work, and is positioned as providing diverse experiences in this regard. Yet…

The constructions of gender formed by elementary school children, aged 7 through 11 years, were studied in relation to their own lives and the issue of adult occupations as revealed in children's role plays. Data were collected from dialogue and role play with 145 children in primary schools in England, and these data were analyzed in a…

Examines whether a shift in secondary school students' constructions of gender, school subjects, and subject ability has occurred. Explores their statements concerning gender and ability involved in school subjects. Argues there has been a blurring of the gender dichotomy when reviewing favorite subjects versus least favorite subjects. (CMK)

Ex-Education Minister Stephen Byers claimed that "laddish behaviour" was in part responsible for English boys' academic underachievement. Presents and discusses students' responses to Byers' claim. Draws data from the semi-structured interviews of a study with 100 14-16-year-old students. (CMK)

Investigates whether primary school children construct gender as a source of discrimination in their school lives. Reports their descriptions of sexism in school as well as their strategies to cope with or resist it. Suggests that girls may be prevented from assertive resistance due to their constructions of passive femininity. (DSK)