Men and women choose different jobs because of nature, not nurture

Across all countries, 37 per cent of boys aspired to do a 'things-oriented' career, such as
a carpenter, engineer, or mechanic. Men and women pursue different jobs because of
nature not nurture, a study suggests. Around 500,000 adolescents in 80 countries were
asked what career they expected to work in when they were 30-years-old. In every
country and region more boys than girls aspired to a “things-oriented” career, and more
girls than boys wanted a people-oriented occupation, the study found. The research
replicated the findings of a similar study carried out more than 100 years ago in 1918,
showing key differences in sex inform young people's career paths, the authors said.

In this latest analysis, researchers from the University of Missouri (MU) and the
University of Essex found the differences were more pronounced in gender-equal
countries such as Finland, Norway, or Sweden.

The researchers identified consistent gender-based differences and reported that

biologically-influenced preferences could drive workplace segregation later in life.
Study co-author David Geary, professor of psychological sciences in MU's college of arts
and science, said: "Sex differences in career choices and outcomes are often blamed on
social factors, such as stereotypes and bias.

"Our study shows that many of these differences are universal and larger in equalitarian
societies, suggesting there are biological influences on peoples' occupational
preferences."

Prof Geary explained that their study confirms what they call a "gender-equality
paradox", where increased levels of gender equality in a country, lead to larger sex
differences, which is seen in occupational aspirations.

He said: "The sex differences in interest in things and people-oriented occupations were
not only found throughout the world but mirror those found in a study done more than
100 years ago.

"The results are consistent across time and place, in keeping with inherent sex
differences that make some activities more attractive to adolescent boys than girls and
others more attractive to girls than boys."

Using data from the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment, the analysis
showed, across all countries, 37 per cent of boys aspired to do a “things-oriented”
career, such as a carpenter, engineer or mechanic, compared to nine per cent of girls.
Across all nations around 47 per cent of girls wanted a people-oriented career, such as a
nurse or teacher, versus 15 per cent of boys.

In the US and the UK, the researchers found more than five boys for every girl aspired
for a things-oriented occupation. But the ratio was even greater in Sweden, where more
than seven boys for every Finnish girl aspired to a things-oriented occupation. On the
other hand, in countries such as Morocco or the United Arab Emirates, where women are
less empowered in politics, education, or health, the ratios were typically lower, or
around two boys for every girl.

479 words

The Daily Telegraph / 7th February 2022