Construction of femininity: Girls' education in Singapore, 1959-2000

Abstract

The modern Singapore woman is a complex blend of tradition and modernity. Her concept of femininity is, in large part, a result of socialization in school. This research looks at girlsa?? education in Singapore from 1959-2000. It examines the gender ideology of the ruling elite through an analysis of its discourse on women and education. This will provide an understanding of the motivations behind policies such as equal educational opportunities for girls, and will highlight the primacy of pragmatic considerations of national economic advancement. The research will also discuss issues of subject choice and sex-differentiated curriculum as well as the embedding of gender ideology in curricular materials and school disciplinary codes. One key question that this thesis will explore is whether education for girls empowers women to realize their fullest potential or if it actually entraps them in subordination and maintenance of the patriarchal structure of society.