Barriers to achievement

Look at the images, what barriers may each of these people face?

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

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

Gender and sex

Gender identityGender 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

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

Inequalities and gender

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

Government attempts to remove inequality

Men and women often do not work in the same occupationsPut it in perspective: Skilled trades: 19% of men 2% women Administration jobs: 20% of women 5% menDivided 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

Facts!

Sex discrimination in the workplaceWomen continue to be treated less favourably simply because they are women

Women’s triple shiftWomen 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 provisionBritain has inadequate and expensive childcare for under 5’sThis is a barrier preventing women with young children from full-time work or staying in employment long enough to progress

Explanations for persistence of inequality

To what extent are men and women equal in modern society?

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

Don’t confuse radical feminism with

feminism

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

Feminist sociologists argue

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

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.

Poverty forced children to work long hours to help their familiesThey were small = ideal for sweeping chimneys, cotton mills and coal mines

In the 19th Century, child labour was the norm among the working classes.

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

Contemporary childhood

Write out the sentences and fill in the gaps. 1) The youngest a child can legally work in the UK is __________________2) The sort of work can children do legally is _________________3) The maximum number of working hours for under 16’s is ______________4) All children must have a _______________ to work legally in the UK.

Age and work

Light work. E.g. paper round 5 hours a day on non-

school days

Work permit

13

Youth - a period of transition between childhood and adulthood

Increasing independence from families, parents and guardians

Moving from the family home to another household

Finishing full time education

Moving into full time paid employment

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

• 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

Stereotypes of teenagersDiscussion

1) What stereotype of a teenager is represented in this clip.

2) How could this negatively affect teenagers life chances?

3) Are upper class and lower class teenagers treated the same?

4) To what extent are negative stereotypes of teenagers in the media affecting children’s life chances?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDOpVA5vQ8I

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

Older age

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

Social Position

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

Why might age be a barrier?

The BBC website informs that Julia Somerville, 62 will make a comeback after nearly 23 years and ‘join Fiona Armstrong, 53, Zeinab Badawi, 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

Julia Somerville

Zeinab Badawi Moira StuartFiona Armstrong

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

Government attempts to remove inequality

Are all workers treated equally? Discussion: 1)Why is it difficult to prove

that an employer is being discriminating against an employee?

2)Why might employers prefer to employ a younger person rather than and older person?

3)Why might employers prefer to employ an older person rather than a younger person?