At‐risk and Not At‐risk Adolescent Girls in Single‐sex and Mixed‐sex School Settings: an examination of their goals and reputations

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the goals and reputations of at‐risk and not at‐risk adolescent females in single‐sex and mixed‐sex school contexts. A total of 216 female students in Years 8, 9, and 11 (aged 13, 14, and 16 years) from six secondary schools in one of the capital cities of Australia participated in focus group interviews. Thirty‐six focus group interviews were conducted with each group comprising six students. Students were assigned to either at‐risk or not at‐risk groups based on behavioural and situational checklists completed by the students’ classroom teachers and/or school psychologists. Each group was asked a series of open‐ended, semi‐structured questions, pertaining to academic and personal goals, involvement in reputation‐enhancing activities and social network patterns. In addition, participants were presented with two vignettes that elicited information about perceived differences in image and reputation of boys and girls. Findings indicated that girls in single‐sex schools have higher aspirations, feel more efficacious about their academic achievements, and are more likely to set goals related to education than girls in mixed‐sex schools. Girls in mixed‐sex schools reported career, freedom/autonomy, and interpersonal goals more frequently than educational aspirations. Moreover, at‐risk girls were motivated by a desire for fun and improved life circumstances. In terms of reputation, it appears that engagement in early sexual activity and alcohol consumption is denigrating to the reputation of girls while socially desirable behaviour for boys.