Gender norms, expectations and stereotypes have a profound impact on children and young people. We create and reinforce gender norms early in life through our families, communities, institutions, education and traditional and social media. Gender norms are also reinforced by advertising that shapes children’s social, educational and leisure choices.
Australia’s labour market is highly segregated by gender. Entrenched stereotypes about ‘male’ and ‘female’ careers influence students from a young age. For example, girls in Australia have lower science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) participation rates and lower STEM aspirations in school compared with boys. Women are often less likely to work in or study STEM after school. [1] This is also reflected in low rates of women in trades and technical roles. In a similar way, boys have lower participation rates in subjects such as textiles and food technology. Men are also less represented in jobs related to caring.
This strategy will develop and put in place an approach to address gender bias in careers education and pathways options for girls and gender diverse students by delivering the Senior Secondary Pathways Reforms.
We will also address gender bias in the workforce through training pathways. To achieve this, we will:
- further explore ways to embed gender equality across the VET and training sector
- bridge the gender gap with the Victorian Skills Plan
- remove financial barriers to training for women through Free TAFE.
We are working with traditionally 'male’ industries to remove barriers to attract and recruit young women and girls to these jobs. This includes through strategies to support, upskill and mentor women in the energy and manufacturing sectors.
Children are more likely to have primary carers who are women and see women do more unpaid work at home. This means we pass gender norms down to the next generation. We’ve heard from many men that they want more support to be the best fathers they can be. We will invest $2 million for the creation of more fathers’ groups across the state, providing more opportunities for fathers to feel supported and connected in a peer-to-peer setting.
Key statistics
- The gender pay gap starts with pocket money. Boys receive more pocket money on average than girls. [2]
- Only 22% of young women aged 18 to 24 are considered financially literate compared to 42% of young men the same age. [3]
References
[1] Deloitte Access Economics, Breaking the norm: unleashing Australia’s economic potential, 2022, accessed 06 February 2023. https://www2.deloitte.com/au/en/pages/economics/articles/breaking-norm-…
[2] Finder, Finder’s parenting report: a report on family trends and finances, 2021, accessed 06 February 2023. https://dvh1deh6tagwk.cloudfront.net/finder-au/wp-uploads/2021/09/Finde…
[3] L Walsh, C Waite et al., 2021 Australian youth barometer: understanding young people in Australia today, 2021, accessed 12 April 2023. https://researchmgt.monash.edu/ws/portalfiles/portal/363926354/36128898…
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