Stereotypes of persons in three predominantly sex-typed professions and of "average persons" were studied. Males were perceived as more autonomous and effective but less acceptable than females only when target occupation was unspecified and data of both subject-sexes were combined. Females were generally rated equal or superior to males. Ways of…

A study of 142 children (Grades K-1) indicated that those whose mothers were currently employed chose a greater number of occupations and more masculine-oriented occupations, than did children of nonemployed mothers. Girls whose mothers had selected nontraditional fields also tended to aspire to less sex-traditional careers. (Author/KH)

Women's expectations of high rates of return to investment in higher education, particularly in nontraditional fields and in those requiring advanced degrees, are shown to be consistent with high levels of investment in these fields. Increasing workforce participation and decreasing fertility also contribute toward reducing the female-male…

A measure of the extent to which the Kuder Occupational Interest Survey (KOIS) was predictive of occupational membership for an individual was correlated with KOIS item and scale scores. Results indicated that the KOIS was a moderator of its own predictive validity. (Author/JKS)

This study assessed the effects of portraying a female main character in a traditionally male role on male and female children's sex role perceptions and story evaluations. Exposure to nontraditional female characters increased children's perceptions of the number of girls who could engage in activities presented in the stories only. (Author/RD)

Four cohorts of new women and minority faculty were studied to investigate the role that immersion in campus activities and resources plays in career success. The model applied used unconventional methods of interviewing and suggests specific interventions to avoid career difficulties. Women and minorities tended to be less effectively immersed…

As it becomes socially less acceptable to appear prejudiced, the difficulty in obtaining unbiased measures of attitudes toward women increases. The Situational Attitude Scale-Women (SASW) was developed to overcome this methodological difficulty. The SASW consists of two parallel forms, one containing neutral situations involving "a…

Examines effects of Title IX and Title II on female enrollment in vocational education. Analyzes enrollment data for occupationally specific programs and discusses implications under five headings: the importance of being prepared to work, the feminization of poverty, types of work for women, the importance of labels, and the importance of career…

A British study compared the experiences of female physics undergraduates and male English undergraduates, both minority groups, and found that, although the female students were considered a minority group, the male students were treated as individuals. It is argued that the responsibility for change lies with the institution, not with students.…

This study examined the impact of conversations with mothers and peers on adolescents' beliefs about gender roles, their career plans, and their plans for managing work and family responsibilities. Approximately 1,000 twelfth grade students, evenly divided by gender, were interviewed. Results concerning children's beliefs about gender roles…

The effects of gender and family role on college students' perception of the suitability or unsuitability of specific occupational choices were examined. Undergraduate college students (132 males and 136 females) completed a questionnaire asking them to rate on a 5-point Likert scale the suitability of 60 selected occupations for either men,…

A study examined the relationship between selected demographic characteristics and attitude toward sexual harassment. The study population consisted of high school students and adults enrolled in traditional and nontraditional training programs and teachers in 12 New Jersey school districts. Sixty-three percent (638) of the 1,020 questionnaires…

Teaching young children remains a generally female occupation in spite of some educators' encouraging men to enter the field. In order to explore the reasons for this imbalance, 10 male school teachers of young children were interviewed at length about their teaching history and plans, their satisfaction with their work, and their attitudes about…

Since World War II, women have become a permanent part of the American work force but are under-represented in most scientific professions. Researchers are now aware of gender influences on expectations and achievement in academic settings, with research indicating that females have lower expectations of competence in science-related professions.…

Women are underrepresented in professional and technical careers. Research to examine this imbalance has focused on either characteristics of individual women or the interpersonal and structural barriers faced in pursuing these careers. An integration of both person and setting perspectives may provide further understanding of traditionally…