Sex-typing of occupational preferences and liberality

Abstract

Research on occupational sex-typing has yielded conflicting results. Some research (Krefting, Berger, & Wallace, 1978;Shinar, 1975) indicates that such stereotypes are firmly in place among men and women across various age groups, while other research indicates that occupational sex-typing may be diminishing. Shepard and Hess (1975) presented kindergarten, eighth-grade, college, and adult participants a list of 43 occupations, and asked whether each occupation should be undertaken by a man, a woman, or either a man or a woman. Results indicated a significant number of occupations, considered traditionally male or female, were marked "either" by all four groups. "Liberality," defined as the number of "either" choices, that is the occupation was appropriate for either a man or a woman, increased from kindergarten through college, but declined among adults.The studies above were delimited to attitudes toward occupations. Breakdown of occupational sex-typing may mean little unless accompanied by an increase in preference for nontraditional careers. Studies from which it was concluded there was a diminishing of occupational sex-typing have failed to demonstrate consistency between Leslie S. Evelo is Counselor and

The Impact of Evaluation Procedure on Occupational Sex-Typing at Different Educational Levels

“…Relatively egalitarian perspectives have been found among women in female-dominant as well as male-dominant careers (Kulik, 1998). Moreover, this trend has persisted beyond national boundaries (Kulik, 1995) and across age groups (Evelo, Jessell, & Beymer, 1991;Flerx, Fidler, & Rogers, 1976;Franken, 1983;O'Keefe & Hyde, 1983;Stericker & Kurdek, 1982).…”

“…Research findings on the impact of various evaluation methods on occupational sex-typing (Archer, 1984;Evelo et al, 1991;Shepard & Hess, 1975) provide insight into the origins of such stereotypes. Shinar (1975), for example, found that both men and women viewed occupations as more masculine when their evaluations were based on vague instructions, as opposed to gendered personality attributes which typify certain occupations.…”

Career and Lifestyle Expectations of Rural Eighth‐Grade Students: A Second Look

“…Counseling and educational strategies must be presented to boys and girls at a point in time before their choices are, in reality, narrowed. Specifically, at the junior high school level, gender differences do not seem to contribute to interest in school subjects (Etaugh & Liss, 1992) or to viability of career options; however, perceived differences by sex of career appropriateness or career preferences are noted (Etaugh & Liss, 1992;Evelo, Jessell, & Beymer, 1991;Post Kammer, 1985). Consequently, a better understanding of this age group in terms of career and lifestyle expectations may contribute to further understanding of the types and kinds of counseling and educational strategies that can enhance the career development of women.…”

Predicting Gender Role Ideology Among Husbands and Wives in Israel: A Comparative Analysis

“…Regarding sex, women typically maintain less stereotyped and more egalitarian attitudes toward gender roles than do men (Andersen, 1993;Bryant, 2003;King, King, Carter, Surface, & Stepanski, 1994;Mensch, Ibrahim, Lee, & El-Gibaly, 2003). These views transcend national boundaries (Galin & Dubin, 1991;Kulik, 1995) and prevail at every stage of the life cycle (Evelo, Jessell, & Beymer, 1991). As for the impact of age, it is commonly believed that adults who were socialized in previous generations will have received less exposure to women's liberation movements as well as to technological advancements that enable women to penetrate masculine occupations.…”