Gender differences in the career expectations of form IV and V students in secondary schools

Abstract

Career choice is a process involving people and their relation to work. Foreign and local research both show that gender difference in development, socialisation and cognition are all aspects that may contribute in determining a person's career preferences. These data reveal that a person's experiences are in fact influenced by various life events. This case study seeks to gain some insight into the determinants of gender difference in career expectations of male and female school leavers. In introducing this research area a discussion is developed on the literature available about the topic. A detailed account of a boy's secondary school, a girl's secondaiy school and the students on which the study was conducted is given prior to describing the differences in expectations of the students. This is followed by detailed analyses in various determinants that influence male ai1d female students in their career preferences and expectations. This study shows that the majority of male students are keen to explore different types of jobs, while the majority of female students are aiming to enter 'traditional female jobs'. This study concludes with some emerging factors determining the career choice; the parents, who have been considered a hypothetical primaiy source of influence, the school, as a source of information, the packaging of curricular subjects, job requirements, and work as a goal for the students themselves.