Gifted American and German early adolescent girls: influences on career orientation and aspirations

Abstract

To investigate factors influencing gifted early adolescent girls' career orientation and career aspirations in both the USA and Germany, the associations between giftedness, agentic characteristics, gender role attitudes, maternal characteristics, and the mother–daughter relationship were examined in 63 young adolescent girls. Additionally, two structural equation models were expanded, tested, and then modified. Results indicate that the daughter's gender role attitudes are influential in shaping career orientation for Americans and career aspiration for German girls. The German maternal gender role attitudes are related to the daughter's gender role attitudes, career orientation, and career aspiration. The American maternal gender roles affect only career orientation. Finally, the mother–daughter relationship directly influenced career orientation for Germans and career aspiration for American girls.