Narrower opportunities for girls due to subject choice

GIRLS have narrower opportunities when they leave school because they have less access to technological subjects, research has found.

The study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) examined the take-up of the materials technology (wood), metalwork and technical graphics subjects by Junior Certificate students.

While boys and girls continue to take different subjects at second level, the ESRI found that the gender differences are especially marked in these three subjects.

Authors, Merike Darmody and Emer Smyth, wrote: “This is a matter of concern since it affects young women’s learning experiences, the skills they acquire and the opportunities open to them on leaving school.”

For each of the 723 girls who sat metalwork in the Junior Certificate last June, 10 boys did the same subject. In material technology, 1,963 girls sat the exam compared to more than 13,600 boys, while just over 1,500 female students took technical graphics compared to 11,107 males.

The research found that, while access to technological subjects varies between schools, they are only rarely provided in all-girls’ schools and are more common in larger schools and those in the vocational and community/comprehensive sectors.

But even where girls attend schools which provide them, they are much less likely than boys to study these subjects, although the gender gap is slightly narrower in larger schools and in urban areas.

The research found that some schools continue to schedule technological subjects against traditionally ‘female’ subjects, such as home economics.

However, parents without up-to-date information on subjects may also contribute to stereotyping when students choose their subjects.

The ESRI suggests greater gender equity in subject take-up could be achieved by encouraging a wider range of schools to provide technological subjects.

Other measures recommended by the research authors include allowing students to try out their subjects before making a final choice and giving them and their parents clear information on the content of subjects and the opportunities they offer.