Sex-Stereotyping in Four-Year-Olds’ Occupational Aspirations

Abstract

68 4-yr.-olds were interviewed about their occupational aspirations and whether they would accept three male- and three female-typical jobs. Boys aspired to traditionally male-sex-typed occupations. Contrary to previous research, girls showed a wider range of occupational aspirations than boys, and girls’ aspirations were significantly higher in educational status than boys. The boys were significantly more likely to accept three male-stereotyped occupations than three female-stereotyped occupations. Girls were significantly more likely to choose female-stereotyped occupations than male occupations.