From Athletes to Astrophysicists: Gender Differences in Patterns and Predictors of Career Aspirations in Pre-Adolescence

Social Sciences

Carl Leukefeld¹  Tanja C. Link²  Brea L. Perry³  Edward W. Morris⁴ 

[1] Criminal Justice, Kennesaw State University, 402 Bartow Ave, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA;;Department of Sociology &Department of Sociology, Indiana University, Ballantine Hall 744, 1020 East Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405, USA;Department of Sociology, University of Kentucky, 1569 Patterson Office Tower, Lexington, KY 40506, USA;

关键词: career aspirations;    gender differences;    masculinity;    intersectionality;    middle school;   

DOI  :  10.3390/socsci5010005

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

This paper adds to research on girls’ growing educational advantage by examining gender differences in career paths. Using baseline data from an intervention study (TRY-IT!) targeting 265 sixth-graders in Title I schools, our research traces adolescent career aspirations by gender, race and class. Additionally, we investigate whether girls and boys exhibit differential sensitivity to environmental risk and protective factors that shape career and educational aspirations. We find that the career choices of boys vary more widely by social context, including socioeconomic status, race, and academic resources. Specifically, among youth with fewer social and academic advantages, girls aspire to more practical careers and careers which require higher levels of educational attainment relative to boys. The findings reveal how sources of inequality such as race and class shape gendered aspirations and complicate gender inequality. We reason that boys’ choices are more volatile and socially contingent because of the emphasis on high-status careers as a signifier of masculinity.

【 授权许可】

Unknown