Context: The persistent low female participation in male-dominated trades and VET courses is not attracting a high level of public attention and policy action. There are determined, albeit ad hoc actions by advocates to raise awareness of the economic and social benefits that can result from increased female participation in the male-dominated…

Despite the fact that approximately half of high school physics students are female, only 21% of physics bachelor's degrees are awarded to women. In a previous study, drawn from a national survey of college students in introductory English courses, five factors commonly proposed to positively impact female students' choice of a physical science…

In Texas, there is an increase in the enrollment of men of various ethnicities in nursing schools, especially Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs. As these men strive to complete the nursing education, they face many concerns that center on barriers that are encountered in what is still a predominately Caucasian and female environment. In…

This study examined the differences in the self-concept of students grouped according to their sex and the sex-intensiveness of their vocational programs. Students in programs nontraditional for their sex, regardless of their gender, held higher self-concepts than their counterparts in traditional programs. Males, on the whole, had more positive…

A study was conducted to examine the effects on young women of reading about nontraditional role models in the sciences and engineering, and discussing various aspects of participating in science and engineering careers with a trained instructor. Subjects for the study were 153 female students enrolled in advanced, elective science courses (10th…

Investigated effects of perceived job availability for women and sex role orientation on college women's evaluations of highly prestigious male-dominated occupations. Subjects wanted to pursue occupations with good job availability for women and expected the most intellectual stimulation and approval from others as a result of pursuing these…

The Attitudes toward Women Scale and the Occupational Check List were administered to 24 gifted eleventh and twelfth graders and 36 gifted ninth graders. Main effects were found for age and sex with older students and females having less traditional attitudes about careers and sex roles. (Author/DB)

This paper describes a longitudinal study which followed a group of young women through high school and college. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between: (1) aspirations and achievement of young women; (2) the relative influence of high school and college on career choice in young women; and (3) the interactions between…

Information was collected from high school students and their parents, teachers, and counselors to examine factors influential in students' career and program decisions. Students were selected from general curriculum and vocational tracks, the latter including construction and maintenance trades, drafting, electronics, and cosmetology. (Author/GC)

This literature review examines the status of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; reasons women do not choose careers in these fields; and gender influences on technophobia. Concludes with strategies such as early exposure, supportive mentors and role models, information to enhance technological literacy, and ways to…

An in-class survey of a sample of 345 (266 male and 79 female) college students enrolled in agriculture classes at a midwestern university was taken to determine whether different socialization patterns played a role in their decision to enroll in agricultural education. The survey included questions on attitudes toward men and women in society,…

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…

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)

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)

Describes the factors that act as barriers to women pursuing nontraditional occupations, as well as counselor skills than can help overcome these barriers. Discusses the results from two studies of counselors and students to enhance understanding of attitudes toward nontraditional occupations and people who enter them. (LLL)