Examined undergraduate students' willingness to explore, enter, and predict success in three occupations as a function of subject sex and information about occupational sex ratio, salary, and position availability. Results indicated males were more likely to report an interest in further exploration of and entry into the occupations, as well as to…

Examined attitudes toward home and career commitment among male and female college preparatory and vocational education high school seniors (N=141). Results indicated male and female students from the two curricula differed on the sex stereotype and prestige level of career choices but not in homemaking or career commitment. (Author/BL)

Studied the influence of job sex composition in relation to security, suitability of type of work, and company recognition in college students (N=95). Results indicated that sex composition exerted the least influence on job desirability while security and suitability of type of work exerted the greatest influence. (LLL)

A recent doctoral research study suggests that a husband's support may have a powerful effect on females entering and succeeding at the superintendency. All married respondents (14 out of 21) entered the job with strong spousal support and said this support was necessary for undertaking the role. A majority said the price was high and they would…

Although the effects of sex-role socialization factors on career decision-making have received increased attention, little research has assessed the relationship between sex role variables and the factors affecting career decision-making. Differential effects and interactions of sex, sex role orientation, and sex role attitudes on six factors…

Analysis of data from 53 medical students found a gender-specific correlation between faculty evaluations of clinical clerkships and eventual female student choice of that rotation's specialty and between high mini-Board scores by male students and male selection of that specialty. Substantially more women chose pediatrics residencies than…

Although the gap between women's and men's wages differs slightly depending on how the gap is measured, no matter how they are measured, women's earnings are below those received by men in 97% of the occupations for which data are available. Since 1979, women's earnings have been climbing when compared with men's earnings, gaining steeply during…

Many correlates of vocational choice have been suggested by career development theorists. A career decision-making model developed by O'Neil, Meeker, and Borgers suggests six factors (individual, societal, familial, socioeconomic, situational, psychosocial-emotional) that affect both sex role socialization and career decision-making. The validity…

Utilizing data from four representative national samples, a study was conducted to explore the extent of assumed sex differences in preferences for work attributes and commitment to continuing labor force participation. The results indicated only minimal differences between males and females. Both sexes identified meaningfulness of the work as the…

Examined Gottfredson's (1981) theory of circumscription, which states that gender influences occupational preferences from age 6 years, and social background, the prestige level of preferences, from age 9 years. Occupational card sort among 396 New Zealand children confirmed the social background theory though ability greatly influenced…

Two studies, involving 314 junior high students, examined effects of academic achievement, sex, and urban/rural community of residence on career decision-making diffusion, need for emotional support in decision making, approach-approach conflict, and perception of external barriers. Findings suggest that age, sex, and level of academic ability…

A longitudinal study was undertaken in 1981 to examine the educational and career achievements of 81 individuals who graduated from an Illinois high school in 1981 either as a valedictorian, salutatorian, or top honors student. These individuals completed questionnaires and were given in-depth interviews. One pattern emerged from the data…

Attempts to explain sex-related wage differentials generally rely on the human capital and segmentation labor market theories. The human capital theory explains individuals' position in the labor market primarily in terms of factors determining their productivity, whereas segmentation theory focuses on differences among jobs as determinants of the…

Civilian employment data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau in 1960-1990 were analyzed with respect to the following factors: (1) the six kinds of work considered in the Holland occupational classification system (realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional); (2) occupation; (3) employment; (4) gender; (5)…

A study examined psychological and contextual influences on the courses of Australian women's lives and careers. Data were obtained from two sources: (1) the Career Development Project (CDP), a longitudinal study of 3,000 Australian men and women who were selected from an initial sample of 17-year-olds in 1973 and whose educational and career…