Gender and Education
- Men and women should have access to the same educational opportunities
- Males and females should be accepted onto courses according to their abilities
- It is wrong to discriminate against students because of their gender
- Gender should be irrelevant in education
- Student’s achievements should depend on hard work and individual merit
- In the UK, there are similar numbers of male and female students in higher education
Gender and Work
- Men and women should have access to the same professional opportunities
- Both man and women should be able to pursue a career
- They should earn equal salaries
- They should be employed according to their abilities, qualifications and experience
- Traditionally women have been restricted to certain roles
- They were often employed as secretaries or receptionists
- Nowadays, a range of occupations is available to both sexes
- Career success depends on individual merit
Women’s and Men’s Roles in the Family
- Some people argue that a mother should not work
- She should stay at home and bring up her children
- The father should be the breadwinner of the family
- Others believe that both parents should share these responsibilities
- Working women can take maternity leave during and after pregnancy
- Many mothers continue to work after this period
- Many fathers and mothers share their parenting and domestic responsibilities
- They contribute equally to childcare, cooking and cleaning
- Some women may have better career prospects than their husbands
- Paternity leave and ‘househusbands’ are becoming more common
- Traditional gender roles are gradually changing
- Families can divide roles and responsibilities in the most convenient way
