Age and Sex Differences in the Vocational Aspirations of Elementary School Children.

Four hypotheses were proposed: (a) boys would aspire to a greater variety of vocations than girls; (b) boys would change their vocational preferences more frequently than girls; (c) older boys would aspire to a broader range of vocations than younger boys; and (d) older girls would aspire to a similar or smaller range of vocations than younger girls. A total of 128 6- and 8-year-old Dutch boys and girls responded to questions concerning their vocational aspirations. All the hypotheses except (b) received support. The results suggested that sex-role expectations for adult occupations are acquired very early and, moreover, strongly circumscribe the range of vocations perceived as appropriate for females.