Publisher's Synopsis
For much of this century, vocational education has been based on the assumption that boys and girls have very different vocational concerns. The Technical and Vocational Education Initiative, which championed the cause of 'New Vocationalism' in schools during the 1980?s and early 1990?s appeared to present a direct challenge to the gendered underpinnings of earlier schemes, by including a high profile commitment to equal opportunities for boys and girls. Using TVEI as a case study 'exemplar', 'Preparation for life?' teases out the tensions which exist between vocationalism and the promotion of greater gender equality in education and the labour market. The author argues that at a time when greater emphasis is being placed on equal opportunities initiatives which are aimed at boys, continuing inequalities affecting women in the labour market need to be kept at the forefront of debates on gender and education.
