Career and marriage aspirations of college senior women: 1988 vs. 1966

Susan Melson Thompson, Purdue University

Abstract

This research was conducted to learn how college senior women in 1988 differ from college senior women in 1966. Of specific interest were possible differences in the career and marriage/homemaking aspirations of these two samples, and what specific factors contributed to these aspirations in one or both samples. Additionally, the study investigated the academic majors pursued by women in each sample. Of specific interest were the possible differences in the distribution of academic majors for the two samples and the unique factors that contributed to the traditional or nontraditional nature of the majors in each of the samples. A questionnaire was used to survey women students in the spring semester of their senior year. The survey contained the Bem Sex Role Inventory, as well as self-report scales for placement on a career continuum, a marriage/homemaking continuum, and for rating significant role figures. The five major variables that were measured in the study included: (1) the home background/cultural environment of the student; (2) the marital status or immediate marital plans of the student; (3) the academic and professional expectations that may accompany certain majors; (4) the number/type of adult role figures and the amount of influence accorded to these figures; and (5) the sex role classification of each student. These variables were analyzed on the basis of two major factors: (1) the career-homemaking choice of each student and (2) the academic major of each student. The 395 women in 1988 were classified into career-homemaking groups as follows: strong career (24.0 percent); preference for career (48.7 percent); career and homemaking (24.7 percent); preference for homemaking (0.8 percent); and strong homemaking (1.0 percent). The distributions of senior women in 1988 and 1966 were significantly different from one another on the following variables: career-homemaking groups, academic majors, religious preference, educational level of both parents, occupational level of both parents, marital status, grade point average, number of fathers listed as influential, amount of influence given to fathers, and ideal roles for five and ten years after graduation.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Shertzer, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Womens studies|Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology

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