While the trend for increasing numbers of women to enter the labor market is clear and career opportunities for women have expanded, women continue to be employed in occupations that are traditionally female and low-paying. This study examined childhood preferred play materials, structured and free play activities, and leisure time activities of…

In spite of major changes in women's work force participation, there is evidence that many female adolescents have limited their career aspirations because of stereotypical thinking in their career decision making. Evidence that these attitudes may be equally true for intellectually gifted females is inconclusive. This study was conducted to…

Results of a longitudinal study of career development and associated life changes are reported for a sample of women in the Michigan Student Study. Data were collected in 1967, 1970, and 1981. The sample was stratified according to the traditionality of the occupation that the women said they intended to enter. "Traditionality" was defined in…

Self-definition is a thought pattern, scored from imaginative fantasy, which is related to constructive behavioral independence of social norms. Research has shown that self-definition seems related to the opportunity for operant initiative-taking, especially when active and less sex-stereotyped activities are chosen. Senior college women (N=118)…

Examined reasons underlying the reported sex differences in structural features of vocational schemas. Controlled for type of rated occupation in determining structural features, and for individual career orientation. Found only gender had a significant impact on structural features. Women showed higher levels of vocational integration, and men…

Reviews the women's rights movement and discusses the evolution of society's attitudes toward women. Discusses the goals and methods of Okaloosa-Walton Junior College Sex Equity Plan, a vocational education program for achieving sex equity. Highlights five major components: education, student recruitment, self-paced, self-directed instruction, job…

Women whose choices were in nontraditional career fields were significantly more likely to be making choices congruent with their personality type. While sex-role orientation was not significantly related to either congruence or traditionality, masculine-typed women were most likely to make nontraditional and congruent career choices. (Author)

Most students, regardless of gender, were influenced by males, particularly fathers. However, a notable percentage of female students, especially those in traditional fields, were influenced by females. Students whose primary influencers were in fields closely related to their own vocational choices reported being more certain of their choices.…

Three hypotheses were derived from the basic premise that, among women, social factors are crucial in the choice of a high status, nontraditional career. Data were collected via mailed questionnaires from 153 traditional (nursing and medical rehabilitation) applicants and 78 nontraditional (medical and dental) applicants. Results supported all…

Examined utility of gender, traditionality of choice, and gender role identification as moderators of interest-field congruence and ability-level realism of academic major and occupational preferences in college students (N=592). Found traditionality of choice and gender role unrelated to interest-field congruence. (Author/NB)

Data is presented on the reactions of 512 secondary girls to a Women's Training Roadshow, a 2-day career convention designed to encourage girls and women to consider nontraditional careers. Findings indicate that while students enjoyed and learned from the convention, the majority remained attached to traditionally female jobs for themselves. (IAH)

Examined relationship between composition by sex (single-sex versus coeducational) of women's (n=274) high school and college environments and sex of their selected influential teachers and their self-efficacy in traditional or nontraditional careers. Found no main effects for composition by sex of institution, or sex of influential teachers, nor…

Much has been written about the conflicts that women experience when they combine work and family roles into one life style. This study focused on how the issue of the marriage-career conflict played itself out in the lives of women who graduated from college in 1967. Data were obtained from a stratified random sample of female college graduates…

This year-long project was designed to encourage women to broaden their career options--in particular, to consider non-traditional fields. The project had three major components: (1) a two-credit course entitled Women's Life and Career Choices, (2) intensive advisement by female faculty members, and (3) the gathering of data on career attitudes…

The authors explore the literature related to sex stereotyping in the labor force and as part of vocational education. In their call for change, they present 10 suggestions for those interested in designing treatment programs to assist both males and females in overcoming barriers to nontraditional jobs and training programs. (Author)