Which external factor is described as influencing girls' achievement?

• A. Economic support for the family
• B. School funding per pupil
• C. The feminist movement influencing girls' achievement with more confidence and career focus
• D. Climate change policies

Answer: (C)

External social context shapes how girls experience school and what they aim for in their education. The feminist movement is an external force that challenged stereotypes about what girls can do, increased visibility of women in various careers, and promoted the idea that girls can pursue high-status subjects and professional roles. This shift tends to boost girls’ confidence and broaden their career aspirations, which can lead to greater effort, persistence, and achievement in school.

Other factors like family economic support or per-pupil school funding are important for resources and opportunities, and climate policies aren’t typically discussed as a direct driver of girls’ achievement in this context. But the feminist movement specifically describes a social change that alters girls’ motivations and expected outcomes, making it the best match for describing an external influence on girls’ achievement.