FIRST PRIZE WINNER of the SOCIETY FOR EDUCATIONAL STUDIES book award 2006 "As a practising youth worker and researcher, I found this book a fascinating and engaging read…It provides a useful analysis and exploration of the classed and gendered ‘anti-school’ ethic in place presently within many schools, and it will provide a meaningful analysis for academics, policymakers and practitioners and anyone with an interest in gender, education and young people." Fin Cullen, Goldsmiths College, Review in Gender and Education "I would [therefore] urge everyone concerned with what is happening in schools to read this book, with its fascinating data and nuanced arguments." Heather Mendick, London Metropolitan University - Review in British Journal of Educational Studies This innovative book looks at how and why girls and boys adopt ‘laddish’ behaviours in schools. It examines the ways in which students negotiate pressures to be popular and ‘cool’ in school alongside pressures to perform academically. It also deals with the fears of academic and social failure that influence pupils’ school lives and experiences. Drawing extensively on the voices of students in secondary schools, it explores key questions about laddish behaviours, such as: Are girls becoming more laddish – and if so, which girls? Do boys and girls have distinctive versions of laddishness? What motivates laddish behaviours? What are the consequences of laddish behaviours for pupils? What are the implications for teachers and schools? The author weaves together key contemporary theories and research on masculinities and femininities with social psychological theories and research on academic motives and goals, in order to understand the complexities of girls’ and boys’ behaviours. This topical book is key reading for students, academics and researchers in education, sociology and psychology, as well as school teachers and education policy makers.

"This is a book to own, read and re-read for its insights and which should then provoke us to act so that all children at school are able to enjoy and benefit from education". Professor Debbie Epstein, Cardiff University, UK, Editor, Gender and Education "This excellent book offers evidence from a rich vein of research covering all aspects of girls' and young women's experiences of education, in and out of school, and is therefore an absolute must for all involved in teaching, learning, researching and policy-making on gender." Professor Gaby Weiner, University of Edinburgh, UK Countering claims that we live in 'post-feminist' times in which girls 'have it all' and can do, and be, whatever they like, this book explores some of the current concerns of, and about, girls today. Issues relating to girls' schooling and femininities have been sidelined and depoliticised in recent education agendas. Yet questions and concerns relating to schoolgirls' lives and experiences deserve immediate attention. Not all girls are academically successful; many girls face exclusion in schools; career aspirations are still gendered; rates of smoking and drinking alcohol are high amongst some groups of girls. With contributions from leading researchers in gender and education, this book: Draws on cutting edge research to consider ongoing problems and explore new agendas. Includes contributions relating to the entire 3-16 year age range. Considers both the within- and out-of-school experiences of girls, and locates them within wider debates about gender anxieties in contemporary education. This topical collection highlights the main issues faced by girls in Britain today, and endeavours to put girls back on the educational agenda. It is essential reading for students, academics and researchers in education, sociology, and girls' studies, as well as for school teachers and education policy makers. Contributors:Alexandra Allan, Sheryl Clark, Fin Cullen, Jannette Elwood, Becky Francis, Rosalyn George, Valerie Hey, Laura Hills, Jean Kane, Gwynedd Lloyd, Jackie Marsh, Barbara Martin, Gillean McCluskey, Emma Renold, Sheila Riddell, Jessica Ringrose, Farzana Shain, Joan Stead, Elisabet Weedon

What is it like being a boy or a girl? How do boys and girls learn to be men and women? How do families, schools and children’s peer groups influence the ways in which children think of themselves as male and female? Being Boys, Being Girls explores how boys and girls learn what it is to be male and female. Drawing on a wide range of studies from around the world, the book examines how masculinities and femininities are developed and understood by children and young people in families, in schools, and through interaction with their peers. One of the key concepts underlying this book is that our identities are constructed and performed in particular ways which help us to understand who we are and how we fit in with the world. This means that these identities are constantly changing according to where we are, what we are doing, and whom we are with. Who we are, and what we think about ourselves, only makes sense in relation to what is going on around us. The author provides a clear explanation of the underpinning idea that children’s understandings of gender are developed and constructed in local communities of masculinity and femininity practice. She brings together research on children and their construction and understanding of gender across the 0-18 age range and includes explicit suggestions for strategies and interventions. This book is essential reading for students and academics in childhood, education and gender studies and for those with an interest in gender development and the construction of masculinities and femininities.

"Boys’ achievement has attracted great attention in recent years in many countries. This comprehensive book based on sound research in schools provides practical insights into how the achievement of boysand girls can be raised. It reminds us that it is not all boys or no girlswho underachieve. It demonstrates the respective roles of teaching andlearning, school culture and social factors. No easy answers butexcellent ideas backed by evidence from authoritative, thoroughresearchers with a firm basis in schools." Judy Sebba, Professor of Education, University of Sussex "Teachers will find this book invaluable. It is based on quality researchwhich actually evaluates the impact of the various strategies suggestedfor raising boys' achievement. What is more, in contrast to many of themore 'quick-fix' works in this field, the authors’ discussion and analysisis measured and nuanced, and supported by an in-depth understandingof the wealth of theory and research around gender and achievement.It provides a welcome and weighty contribution to an evercontroversial debate." Becky Francis, London Metropolitan University In this important book, the authors evaluate different approaches and advocate practical, evidence-based strategies, which have the potential to promote boys’ as well as girls’ achievements. The approaches are discussed within the context of inclusivity, acknowledging the diverse needs and interests of different boys and the invisibility and continuing disadvantage of some girls. The book begins and ends with reflections from students of their own school experiences, and makes practical recommendations for the future. This book draws upon empirical research and work initiated as part of the DfES project on Raising Boys’ Achievement. It brings together theoretical and practical issues, and reflects upon the construction of the debate about boys’ apparent under-achievement from the perspectives of girls as well as boys. The authors critically explore notions of under-achievement and ‘value added’, and consider how useful the concept of the ‘gender gap’ is in advancing the debates. Raising Boys’ Achievement in Secondary Schools is key reading for undergraduate and postgraduate Education students, PGCE students, headteachers, senior managers within schools and local education authorities, and policy makers.

Behaviour remains a huge issue of concern at all levels of education. This book draws together research and practice to uncover the complexities of improving behaviour and attendance in school and offers a range of practical solutions aimed at tackling behavioural issues and its prevention for schools, teachers, non-teaching staff, and those working to support them in Local Authorities. It considers current concerns relating to the behaviour of children and young people, the theoretical underpinnings of possible approaches to improving behaviour and attendance, as well as what we know about the causes of disaffection. In exploring ways that behaviour and attendance can be improved, the authors examine a range of perspectives including school management and whole school policies, and behaviour in and around the school, in the classroom, and of individual pupils, particularly those at risk of exclusion from school. It discusses the work of Behaviour and Educational Support Teams, teacher coaches, learning mentors and nurture groups as ways of supporting children and young people, particularly those identified as being 'at risk'. It also outlines ways of improving relationships between the school and home, as well as the ways that parents can be supported to assist in changing their children's behaviour and attendance. Alternatives to exclusion and new curricula are discussed in relation to their success in maintaining students in education. The final chapters focus on attendance and what can be done to improve it in the general school population and those students who are persistent absentees. Throughout the book case studies are used to illustrate examples of good practice and the impact on children, parents and teachers. The book concludes with an overview of key issues emerging for practice.

How can we understand the educational disengagement of urban, working-class young people? What role do schools and education policies play in these young people’s difficult relationships with education? How might schools help to support and engage urban youth? This book critically engages with contemporary notions of 'at risk' youth. It explores the complexity of urban young people's relationships with education and schooling and discusses strategies for addressing these issues. Drawing on a two year study of urban 14-16 year olds, educational professionals and parents, the book focuses in depth on the views and experiences of ethnically diverse young Londoners who had been identified by their schools as 'at risk of dropping out of education' and as 'unlikely to progress into post-16 education'. It provides an informative and accessible overview of the key issues, debates and theoretical frameworks. It is important reading for school leaders, teachers and learning support assistants as well as trainee teachers and educational researchers.

This new and topical book, written by editors of the international journal Gender and Education, and aimed at educational professionals, draws together the findings and arguments from the wealth of material available on gender and achievement.

Sarah Swann provides a fresh approach to examining the long-standing debates over disaffection, and in particular social class differences in educational achievement, through a mixed methods methodology and the showcasing of new research. By observing pupils as they engage with peers and teachers in school, Swann allows disaffection to be seen and heard in ’real’ events which constructs disaffection differently from objective statistical evidence on school exclusions. Rather than a homogenous identity, this book illustrates disaffection as layered and resting on a series of issues located on the crossroads between the cultural context of the neighbourhood and the public sphere of the school. It plots in a detailed way how these structures interact and mesh to create disaffected identities. Disaffection does not emerge in a vacuum, or without a cause. Pupils arrive at school with a wide variety of experiences and it is from these that they interpret, understand and act out their identities. Whilst the study in part seeks to describe and understand the social world of the school in terms of the pupils’ interpretations of the situation, it analytically frames the perceptions of pupils within a wider social context. In particular it focuses on the relationships between schooling and the wider macro structures and social relations that underpin disaffection. This approach makes the research both critical and interpretative and also able to shed new light on educational policy across England based on an understanding of the role of disaffection.

This book takes an unrelenting look at the hidden worlds of young children's sexualities.

Social psychology has a profound influence on our everyday lives; from our shopping habits to our interactions at a party. It seeks to answer questions that we often think and talk about; questions such as: - What circumstances prompt people to help, or not to help? - What factors influence the ups and downs of our close relationships? - Why do some people behave differently when on their own compared to in a group? - What leads individuals sometimes to hurt, and other times to help one another? - Why are we attracted to certain types of people? - How do some persuade others to do what they want? This new edition of Social Psychology has been revised to introduce a more flexible structure for teaching and studying. It includes up-to-date, international research with an emphasis throughout on its critical evaluation. Applied examples across the chapters help to highlight the relevance, and hence the impact, that the theories and methods of this fascinating subject have upon the social world. Key Features Include: - Research Close-Up: Following a brand-new style, this feature matches the layout used in research papers, providing an accessible introduction to journal articles and the research methods used by social psychologists. - Focus On: Fully revised, these boxes look at opposing viewpoints, controversial research or alternative approaches to the topics. This offers a more critical outlook and prompts the questioning of the validity of published research - Recommended Readings: New to this edition, recommended further readings of both classic and contemporary literature have been added to each chapter, providing a springboard for further consideration of the topics. Connect Psychology is McGraw-Hill’s digital learning and teaching environment. Students – You get easy online access to homework, tests and quizzes designed by your instructor. You receive immediate feedback on how you’re doing, making it the perfect platform to test your knowledge. Lecturers – Connect gives you the power to create auto-graded assignments, tests and quizzes online. The detailed visual reporting allows you to easily monitor your students’ progress. In addition, you can access key support materials for your teaching, including a testbank, seminar materials and lecture support. Visit: http://connect.mcgraw-hill.com for more details. Professor David N. Myers holds the Sady and Ludwig Kahn Chair in Jewish History. As of fall 2017, he serves as the director of the Luskin Center for History and Policy. He previously served as chair of the UCLA History Department (2010-2015) and as director of the UCLA Center for Jewish Studies (1996-2000 and 2004-2010). Dr Jackie Abell is a Reader in Social Psychology with the Research Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, based at Coventry University, UK. Her current areas of research interest include the application of social psychology to wildlife conservation and environmental issues to facilitate resilience and sustainable development, place attachment and identity, social cohesion and inclusion. Professor Fabio Sani holds a Chair in Social and Health Psychology at the University of Dundee. His general research interest concerns the mental and physical health implications of group processes, social identity and sense of belonging. He has been an associate editor of the European Journal of Social Psychology.