ABSTRACT
This chapter draws upon the arguments of those who believe gender issues in education are a priority area for research and reform. Such work could broadly be labelled feminist. There are different feminist perspectives. Most often three categories are identified: liberal feminism, socialist feminism, and radical feminism. These categories are convenient but any rigid adherence introduces some distortion. Each feminist tendency produces distinctive interpretations of educational issues. Liberal or equal rights feminists try to remove barriers that prevent girls reaching their full potential, whether in the mind, the family, school, or workplace. They concentrate on providing information, changing attitudes, and using antidiscrimination legislation. Socialist feminists hope in the long run to end oppression under capitalism. Radical feminists aim to eliminate male dominance and put girls and women at the centre of concern. Two clear areas of interest in the quite considerable educational literature are patriarchal knowledge and the everyday sexual politics of educational institutions.
