This approach recognises how the impact of social policy can have a positive effect on the life chances of individuals in society. Postmodernists argue that performance by gender is affected by the social class and ethnic backgrounds of male and female students. Thus, not all female students do well and all male students do badly. Middle class boys tend to do better than working class girls. For Mac an Ghaill the underachievement of boys is particularly a working class boys problem.
Research also shows that ethnicity cuts across gender to shape achievement levels.
However, Pakistani and Bangladeshi males achieve better exam results than Pakistani and Bangladeshi females. This document has been approved by the head of department or section. If you are an authorised user you may edit this document through your Web browser.