A Test of "Gender" and "Job" Models of Sex Differences in Job Involvement

The sources of gender differences in subjective job involvement are investigated utilizing cross-sectional and panel data from the 1972–73 and 1977 Quality of Employment Surveys. Analyses do not support previous arguments that differences in gender socialization and family responsibilities are the sources of females' lower involvement with a job. Instead, characteristics of the job setting, in particular work autonomy, are more important determinants of job involvement as men and women generally react similarly to their work conditions. Women are found to be more involved with their jobs than men after controlling differences in work autonomy. The findings also indicate women became more involved with their jobs over the period of study whereas men's subjective involvement decreased.