Gender Role Perception and Choice of Vocation

Career choice not only affects the individual but also the society at large. Selection of one's career is not only affected by intrinsic factors but is heavily guided by extrinsic factors also. The study makes a comparative analysis of the impact of two factors- gender and role perceptions - on vocation selection among urban women and urban men, employed in and around the city of Kolkata. The results show that gender becomes a major hindrance in the career selection for a significantly higher number of women. Many jobs requiring odd duty hours or extensive travel are out of bounds for women. Men are comparatively more mobile and can easily adjust their work-life balance. Gender role expectations are levied heavily on women in the domestic front and they are expected to be the primary caregiver to their children, responsible for activities such as looking after their nutritional issues, imparting education etc. These structural factors account for the differences in the ability of men and women to be successful in their vocation.