Work—family interface for men in nontraditional careers

Abstract

Men are choosing to enter nontraditional careers with greater frequency. In this article, the authors examine nontraditional career choices made by men and review current empirical literature relevant to this topic. Gottfredson's (1981, 1996) theory of circumscription and compromise and Holland's (1997) career choice theory are used as frameworks to examine factors that influence men to pursue nontraditional career choices. The impact of gender role socialization provides further understanding of career choice. The role strain and changing life and family roles that often accompany these nontraditional occupations are also examined. Implications for career counselors, suggestions for counseling interventions, and directions for future research are also discussed.