Compared sex role characteristics and related personality traits in four age groups of women. In general, younger women were least like the traditional feminine sex role stereotype; they were more willing to ascribe masculine sex role characteristics to themselves. Older women adhered most strongly to conventional feminine traits. (JAC)

Young adult, midlife, and older women from four role groups--homemaker, married career, single career, and student--were compared on a number of personality measures including achievement motivation, affiliation, autonomy, cultural sex role characteristics, self-esteem, and adjustment. Some significant age and role differences were found.…

The results suggest that mature women students may be more flexible in the sex-role identities and less tied to a nurturant, interpersonally oriented role but that they are not necessarily more ambitious, confident, or achievement-oriented than homemakers. (Author/DB)