ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the educational socialization of boys and girls at school tends to shape educational and occupational opportunities and expectations. It suggests that anticipated and actual family responsibilities affect career orientations while the persistence of workplace discrimination against women graduates by employers and men colleagues further restrict women's opportunities. The chapter explores the government and employer policies on equal opportunities will be assessed in broad terms. It argues that many of the policies do not challenge the fundamental causes of discrimination, which may mean that current improvements in the employment conditions of women graduates can easily be withdrawn. The chapter also suggests that women are less likely to obtain jobs with higher grade professional status than men, and that women tend to receive lower salaries. It demonstrates that men follow those courses which offer the best employment opportunities. The chapter discusses why women graduates are more likely to be under-employed than men.
