High School Seniors' Occupational Plans and Values: Trends in Sex Differences 1976 through 1980

Occupational plans and values of high school seniors were examined for evidence of declining sex differences. Questionnaire data were collected in 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980from large national samples of high school seniors. Marked sex differences were found for the kinds of work seniors plan to do when they are 30 years old, the settings they would like to work in, and the work characteristics that are important to them. Between 1976 and 1980, only afew of those sex differences were declining, including plans to work as clerical or in the protective service, and in preference for self-employment.