ABSTRACT
In the 1990s, as in earlier decades, the subjects and courses chosen for study by young women in schools, colleges and at university tend to be different from those chosen by young men. Differences in curriculum at school lead to gender differences in the qualifications obtained by young women and young men and unequal opportunities to pursue subsequent careers. National curricula have a potential role in reducing inequality by providing all pupils with entitlement to a common core curriculum. In principle, a national curriculum should ensure that pupils of both sexes experience all modes of study and areas of knowledge, so that gross differences in experience of curriculum are prevented.
