Influence of culture, family and individual differences on choice of gender-dominated occupations among female students in tertiary institutions

This study investigated the impact of culture, family and individual differences on the choice of gender-dominated occupations among female students in tertiary institutions. Participants were 340 female students randomly selected from ten tertiary institutions (170 from five schools of Nursing and 170 from Faculties of Engineering and Technology in five universities) in southwestern Nigeria. Measures of attitude towards religion, need achievement, family involvement, socio-economic status and work values were administered on the participants. The data obtained were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The results showed that family involvement was the most significant predictor of career choice in gender-dominated occupations followed by attitude towards religion, age, socio-economic status, work values and achievement motivation in that order. Among the work values, independence was the strongest, predictor of career choice, followed by intellectual, esteem, social service and achievement in that order. Generally, the family, culture and individual differences made significant joint contribution to the prediction of career choice among the female students. The results from this study suggest the need for career counsellors to design programmes that take into account the family, cultural and individual difference factors that could serve as barriers to women as they select occupations. Gender and Behaviour. Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp. 814-833