Barriers to achievement

1. Learning objective: (D-E) Identify barriers to achievement related to gender, age, ethnicity etc. (C) Explain why barrier to achievement exist and what the government is doing to address them (A*-B) Contrast barriers to achievement that exist now with those that existed in the past and explain reasons for change Barriers to achievement Look at the images, what barriers may each of these people face?

2. Gender and sex There is a different between sex and gender: • Sex = whether a person is considered male or female • The biological difference between men and women e.g. role in reproduction • Sex is ascribed at birth and fixed throughout life (usually) • Gender = socially constructed differences between men and women • The ideas associated with masculinity and femininity • Boys and girls are socialised differently which develops a Gender identity

3. Gender identity Gender identity is also given at birth - names, colour of clothes – blue and pink As babies grow up we reinstate these ideas – toys, books according to gender This is the process of socialisation Agents of social control – family, school, media are how we learn masculinity and femininity Nurture vs nature – David Reimer

4. Inequalities and gender • Gender inequality is ‘man-made’ – it is possible to create a more equal society • Many changes have taken place over the last 40 years to address gender inequality in education and employment • Linked to anti-discrimination laws • Historically sexism is aimed at women but applies to men • Sociologists believe women are increasingly likely to get good education, jobs and salaries

5. Government attempts to remove inequality Equal Pay Act 1970: Employers must pay men and women the same salary when doing the same work or work of an equal value Sex Discrimination Act: Unlawful to discriminate or treat someone differently because of their sex in both education and the workplace

6. Facts! Men and women often do not work in the same occupations Put it in perspective: • Skilled trades: 19% of men 2% women • Administration jobs: 20% of women 5% men Divided by ‘invisible walls’ When men and women work in the same occupation, women are likely to have low/middle level jobs – men have senior/high positions Women are held back by the ‘glass-ceiling’ On average women earn 20% less than men

7. Explanations for persistence of inequality Sex discrimination in the workplace Women continue to be treated less favourably simply because they are women Women’s triple shift Women bare the burden of working a triple shift which holds them back from applying for promotions and developing a career • Paid employment • Domestic labour - housework, childcare • Emotion work – making children and partners feel good Childcare provision Britain has inadequate and expensive childcare for under 5’s This is a barrier preventing women with young children from full-time work or staying in employment long enough to progress

8. To what extent are men and women equal in modern society? Don’t confuse radical feminism with feminism What is the stereotype of a Feminist? What do Feminists believe? How do the pictures above change the perception of Feminism? Define: the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes

9. Feminist sociologists argue • Gender inequality is still the most important division in society • We live in a patriarchal society - structured to benefit men • Men have more power in politics & workplace • Men have a bigger share of rewards – wealth and status

10. What is meant by ‘age?’ Chronological age Years you have been alive Biological age A persons age is related to physical changes - puberty, grey hairs Age as a social category • Expectations surrounding age vary from society to society and over time • In some societies age is not important • Social expectations and the way we treat them vary based on their age • Age is socially constructed – expectations vary from society to society and change over time

11. The term childhood has not always existed. In medieval times, children over 5 were seen as small adults who participated in the adult world of work and leisure.

12. In the 19th Century, child labour was the norm among the working classes. Poverty forced children to work long hours to help their families They were small = ideal for sweeping chimneys, cotton mills and coal mines

13. Contemporary childhood • Today child labour is socially unacceptable and illegal • Children and adults have different status • Childhood is a separate life stage to youth and adulthood • Children are treated differently and protecting them by law is important • Restrictions imposed on employing children • Full time compulsory education introduced

14. Age and work • Write out the sentences and fill in the gaps. • The youngest a child can legally work in the UK is __________________ • The sort of work can children do legally is _________________ • The maximum number of working hours for under 16’s is ______________ • All children must have a _______________ to work legally in the UK. Work permit Light work. E.g. paper round 5 hours a day on non-school days 13

15. Youth - a period of transition between childhood and adulthood Moving into full time paid employment Increasing independence from families, parents and guardians Finishing full time education Moving from the family home to another household Gaining more status in society • There is no agreement as to when youth starts and finishes • The increase in students and unemployed young people = more living at home – boundary is not clear cut

16. The idea of youth is a relatively recent development • ‘Teenagers’ emerged as a social category in 1950’s • They could be identified by style, music, haircuts • Not all cultures acknowledge this life stage – transition to adulthood and childhood is much easier

17. Stereotypes of teenagers Discussion • What stereotype of a teenager is represented in this clip. • How could this negatively affect teenagers life chances? • Are upper class and lower class teenagers treated the same? • To what extent are negative stereotypes of teenagers in the media affecting children’s life chances? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDOpVA5vQ8I

18. Older age • Pensions were introduced in 1908 – before this people had to work until they were physically unable to continue • Retirement is only the norm since mid-20th century • In Britain, getting old is something to be avoided – hair dye, surgery etc • In other cultures age is something to look forward to – old people are valued and have high status

19. Social Position • Social position of old people depends of whether they are ‘young old’ or ‘old old’ • Some old people live their retirement in poverty whilst others have an affluent lifestyles • Age can be linked to – class, gender and ethnicity • An elderly, working-class, widowed black women may be in a worse position than a newly retired, middle-class, married white man

20. Why might age be a barrier? • Age discrimination is an increasing social problem in Britain • Ageism = a situation in which one person is treated differently and less favourably based on their age • Young or old people are the most vulnerable to ageism • People in their 50s/60s may find it harder to get a job because of stereotypes about inability to learn new skills

21. The BBC website informs that Julia Somerville, 62 will make a comeback after nearly 23 years and ‘join Fiona Armstrong, 53, ZeinabBadawi, 50, and Carole Walker, 50 on the TV news service.’ In addition, Moira Stuart will now be a part of Chris Evans’ radio show as the main newsreader. BBC had come under heavy criticism in 2007 after Stuart, then 58, was removed from the Sunday morning show, apparently because of her age. The ‘ageism’ row refused to die down even after BBC’s repeated statements denying any such reason behind its move. They were forced to deny ageism again in 2009 with Arlene Phippips Moira Stuart Julia Somerville Fiona Armstrong ZeinabBadawi

22. Government attempts to remove inequality Employment Equality Regulations • Came into force in 2006 • Prohibits employers from unreasonably discriminating against employees on grounds of age The law includes: • 1) Direct Discrimination • 2) Indirect Discrimination • 3) Harassment • 4) Victimisation

23. Are all workers treated equally? • Discussion: • Why is it difficult to prove that an employer is being discriminating against an employee? • Why might employers prefer to employ a younger person rather than and older person? • Why might employers prefer to employ an older person rather than a younger person?