Introduction

This collection of original papers shows how women in Britain are still being discriminated against during schooling, despite the existence of legislation prohibiting such discrimination and despite apparent concern with promoting equality between the sexes in education. Focusing on the current situation and experiences of women in education and their subsequent entry to, and experiences of, the labour market, the book shows how the category of gender is made relevant in the education of women: how it is influential in structuring their actions, beliefs, values and life chances, and how it provides them with a set of contradictions about their role in society.