A study examined the vocational counseling needs of girls and young women when choosing an occupation in Germany. Available literature on the following topics was reviewed: the relationship of the sexes in education and training; girls' choices of occupations in the changed arena of structural discrimination and roles assigned to females by society and personal interests; utilization of vocational counseling; and females' expectations from vocational counseling and approaches to upgrade vocational training for girls/young women. It was concluded that although girls make use of vocational counseling just as often as boys do, they express stronger overall dissatisfaction with available vocational counseling services. Vocational counseling for females must proceed from the different initial situations of girls and their restricted access to certain career paths rather than from the ideal of "free choice of occupation." More attention must be paid to the special problems encountered by girls when choosing an occupation. (Contains 117 references. Appended are 24 tables/figures and glossaries of selected institutions, legislation, and terminology.) (MN)