Factors related to the traditional or non traditional career choice of females in Newfoundland high schools

• Main Author: Darcy, Iris J.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1987
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/5023/; https://research.library.mun.ca/5023/1/Darcy_IrisJ.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/5023/3/Darcy_IrisJ.pdf

This study attempted to determine the factors related to the traditional or nontraditional career choice of females in Newfoundland high schools. The sample consisted of 289 grade twelve females from twenty-one schools. These students were also included in Tom Wiseman's 1982 study. His study focused on the factors associated with traditional or nontraditional aspirations and expectations of Newfoundland high school youth. This present study followed up on many of the grade nine girls who were part of Wiseman's sample. -- In 1985, data from these grade twelve girls were gathered using two procedures. The first was a survey-type questionnaire which drew on questions from the two questionnaires used in Wiseman's study as well as other questions pertinent to the topic. The second procedure comprised personal interviews which were conducted with thirteen girls. The girls were categorized into four groups according to whether or not they changed their traditional or nontraditional career orientations over the three year period. A cross-tabulation analysis of the traditionalism change categories was used to find factors related to the change or stability of career choice in these girls. -- The instruments used in this study gathered data on several factors related to the career choices of these girls including: the educational and occupational plans of these girls, early childhood family experiences, the influence of significant others, the amount of occupational knowledge, perceived parental attitudes, and the aspirations and expectations of employment. Questions also focused on: perceptions of abilities and limitations regarding work, parental education levels, success criteria, and peer influence. -- Several factors were determined to be associated with traditional or nontraditional career choice. Some of these included: role models, perceptions of self, involvement in traditional childhood work, and academic experience. -- Recommendations for practice focused on developmental programming, self-concept formation, ...