Parents, Gender, and Education

Abstract

This article discusses social justice in education, specifically issues of social equity and equal opportunities on the grounds of gender. The article explores the ways in which the Right in government in advanced industrial societies, but particularly in Britain and the United States, has tried to implement a new right-wing agenda of parental choice and standards. This is in contrast to earlier liberal administrations that sought to provide equality of educational opportunity by reducing the differences between families through parental privilege or poverty or involving mothers in their children's education. The conclusion is drawn that right-wing strategies will increase social diversity and sexual inequalities around the role of parents, especially mothers.