ABSTRACT
The existence of widely different attitudes or orientations to work between the sexes is assumed both popularly and by psychologists and sociologists of work. Personal factors encompasses Barbara Gutek and Laurie Larwood notion of preparation and includes the further variables of family background, socialization experiences, past work experiences, demographic factors, needs and abilities, and career attitudes. Attitudes on the question of work for women began to change in the decades after World War II. The changed work climate, as predicted, produced an alteration in attitudes toward women working. Social attitudes on the inappropriateness of work for women was particularly reflected in the career histories of our older women. The personal background of our women also suggest that they are academically less prepared than men, especially for technical jobs. Whether this reflects societal influence, discrimination or personal attributes is uncertain, but the result is a probable negative impact on women’s careers.
