The document discusses factors that have led to increased educational attainment among girls and women. It notes that societal changes like higher divorce rates, more cohabitation, and more lone-parent families have resulted in new female role models for girls. Additionally, more financially independent women and the need for well-paid jobs to achieve independence have motivated girls and women to obtain higher qualifications. Studies have found that girls now aim for graduate-level careers rather than traditional female jobs and need further education to reach their career goals. The concept of a "risk society" is also discussed, where education helps guard against career and financial risks.

1. In educational attainment

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Increase in divorce rate
Increase in cohabitation
Increase in lone-parent families
Changing position of women within the
family = new female role models for girls
Financially independent women
To achieve independence you need well paid
jobs and therefore good qualifications

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Francis and Skelton (2005)
Found girls were increasingly aiming for
graduate level jobs.
Becky Francis (2001)
asked girls about their career aspirations and
found very few had their aims in traditional
female oriented jobs
They required qualifications to achieve their
career goals.

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Ulrich Beck (1992) Risk society
Society is changing it is becoming characterised by
uncertainty, risk and individualisation
Marriage is no longer secure
Jobs are no longer „for life‟
People therefore look to themselves, and become
more self-reliant.
Education is a way to guard against risk by
securing well paid jobs

6. 
Ulrich Beck (1992) Risk society
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Women are leading the move towards individualism
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They are “setting the pace for change”
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Women are therefore in the forefront of
educational attainment