Discourse and attitudes on occupational aspirations and the issue of gender equality: What are the effects of perceived gender asymmetry and prescribed gender role?

Abstract

IntroductionInsofar as gender role stereotypes favour more men than women, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of these types of stereotypes on the attitudes and discourse of boys and girls in a vocational setting. ObjectiveIn the framework of vocational and gender stereotype theories, the objective was to test the hypothesis according to which boys would be more benevolent toward sex-typed vocational choices than non sex-typed ones, whereas the attitude of girls toward both vocational choices would be less determined by stereotypical prescriptions. MethodIn order to validate this prediction, 79 boys and 89 girls had to (a) assess more or less sex-typed occupational choices made by a fictitious boy or girl, (b) take a stand on the issue of gender equality, and (c) whatever their answer on the latter point, they had to justify their position in writing. ResultsThe results on evaluative scales and discursive markers validated the general expectations. Indeed, boys were normative and supportive of gender inequality as they valued more traditional occupational choices than non-traditional ones. On the contrary, girls seemed to be more egalitarian than their male counterparts since they tended to enhance non sex-typed occupational choices. DiscussionThe discussion and the conclusion deal with gender role inequality, identity and identity-threat, as well as with reactance and risk-taking.