Responding to the Challenges of Gendered Career Aspirations 107received guidance from their mother or a female guardian and 8.4%
were influenced by their father or a male guardian. Siblings, friends,
school teachers and counselors, and others made up the difference
(Molapo & Mapolisa 2014: 21).
The respondents were specifically challenged on the opportunities
available to male and female students and the results were an
unequivocal 72.3%: 14.6% disagreement with the statement that male
and female learners were not afforded the same opportunities in high
school, whilst 13.1% of the respondents were unsure. There was also
disagreement (45.5%: 27.2%) that male learners necessarily performed
better than female learners in mathematics and physical science in high
school. 62.0% of the respondents were certain that men and women
could enter a career in any field of their choice (Molapo & Mapolisa
2014: 34).
Notwithstanding the above opinions, when making a gender
comparison about the suitability of specific fields of study, a majority of
respondents were of the opinion that some areas of study were
predominantly male-oriented and less suitable to women. The results
are tabulated below:
02004006008001000It's a more suitable career choice for men
YES NO