Betty the Builder, Neil the Nurse: Sex-Typing of Occupations in Primary Schools

Abstract

The focus of the study was on primary school children at Key Stage 1 (primary 3) and Key Stage 2 (primary 6). It examined their views of occupational sex-typing and the implications these views have for educational practice. It also sought the views of teachers and teacher trainers on the issues surrounding children’s stereotyping of occupations. The research involved the administration of questionnaires to children at Key Stages 1 and 2 and their teachers; focus groups were conducted with children and teachers; and views of teacher trainers and Curriculum Advisory Support Service (CASS) officers in Education and Library Boards were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Fieldwork for the study was conducted between September 1999 and February 2000. Altogether 1,579 pupils from 25 primary schools and 285 teachers from 144 primary schools in Northern Ireland completed and returned questionnaires.