Students, Parents and School-Choices. Gendered Trajectories in the Italian Education System

The main aim of this paper is to describe and analyze gender differences and gaps in the Italian education system in terms of three main dimensions: students, teachers and students’ families in childcare services, primary, secondary and tertiary education. The focus is on learning processes and educational outcomes, school-track choices and family socio-cultural backgrounds. The paper also examines Italian students’ expectations and prospects to enrol in higher education, their failures and successes according to gender stereotypes, and unconventional educational patterns.