Exploring gender differences in vocational subject choices : Health and Social Care

Abstract

Gender differences among boys and girls differ on the basis of their physical attributes, social interactions, academic motivations, and choices made with the influence of peers, the media, parents, and teachers playing an important role in defining gender role differences among boys and girls. The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences in vocational subject choices, with the rationale for conducting the research being that of having an adequate understanding of the factors associated with vocational subject choices among males and females. The primary research question that guided the study was, “Are students' subject choices in Health and Social Care gender-based?” The target population comprised of Year 9 to Year 11 secondary school students and teachers from Malta, and study participants were recruited through purposive sampling, in order to utilize a mixed-methods methodology to explore the gender differences in vocational subject choices among secondary school students. The results indicated that, based on the student's reported subject choices, no association could be found between gender and the selection of Health and Social Care as a vocational subject choice (χ2 = 0.092, p = 0.761). Furthermore, the type of school attended by the student was not correlated to the choice of health and social science as a vocational subject (χ2 = 0.078, p = 0.962). There was also no significant association between the school structure and the number of students from the school who picked health and social science as a vocational subject (χ2 = 0.493, p = 0.782).