1880s: Biological Essentialism is
accepted. Elite women kicked
out of universities. Seen as less
intelligent, more physically
delicate. Believed education
caused sterilization. Women
distract men from their studies.
Women become more like men,
coarse, loud, vulgar. Oberlin the
first to re-admit women. Women
had to be quiet, sit in the back,
did all the laundry and cooking
for all students.
1920’s: Great Depression.
Women’s education
disappears.
1936: Education to the age
of 16 becomes mandatory
to get kids out of the work
force during the Great
Depression.
1972: Title 9- No
discrimination in school
based on sex. (Still
differences in funding)
1980’s: Women are 50% of all
undergrads.
2018: Women are 60% of
undergrads, 40% of
graduates.
Elementary School
Preschool to 4th grade
Socializing children to do
education. Girls socialized
to be passive. Teachers
aggrivated more easily
with boys.
Teacher-Student
Interaction is different
in content and
attention.
Content: Boys more precise
feedback, encouraged to find the
answer, praised for intellect.
Girls more vague feedback, told
what the answer is, praised for
congeniality.
Attention: Teacher engages boys,
more likely to be called out. Boys
encouraged more. Boys more
likely to be diagnosed with
behavior problems. Girls more
likely to get in trouble for calling
out.
4th to 6th Grade
Boys 90% feedback on academic
performance. Girls 20% feedback on
intelligence. Boys learn if they’re smart
they can get ahead. Girls learn if their
well behaved and hard working they can
get ahead.
Sex segregation: reifies structural
arrangement that boys and girls are
opposites. Prevents basic cooperation.
Reinforces and amplifies gender stereotypes.
Continues into adolescence and adulthood.
Secondary School
Prestige
Girls: Attractiveness.
Through being stylish,
wearing makeup, and
being sexually
knowledgable. Threshold
effect: very fine line of
sexually knowledgable
and slutty.