Measuring occupation aspiration in research on sex differences—An overview and analysis of issues

Abstract

Research investigating sex differences in occupational aspirations and expectations often uses an occupational prestige scale to code occupations for comparison. We contend that this is not an appropriate procedure and justify this assertion by looking at several ways in which prestige scales contain inherent sex biases. Issues raised include the procedures of development of early prestige scales on which most later scales are founded; the apparent congruence of prestige ratings by men and women; the effect of sex of incumbent on prestige ratings; and sex differences in the perceptions of desirability of occupations. There is clear evidence for the need for caution in considering sex differences in occupational aspiration using prestige ratings. Some alternative approaches are suggested.