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RELEVANCE OF GENDER AND AGE ON ADULT DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS AND DOMINANT CONCERNS FOR SELECTED PROFESSIONALS
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between life tasks, gender and age for selected professionals. Specific objectives were to: (1) analyze the assumptions made regarding age-linked concerns, problems and tasks of early and middle adulthood as applied to women; (2) determine what differences, if any, exist in the ages females and males experience similar concerns, problems and tasks of development during early and middle adulthood; (3) analyze the relationship between women's ages and their perceived or experienced concerns, problems and tasks of development; and (4) expand the theoretical base of age-linked adult development theories as applicable to women in general and to professional women specifically. The primary source of data was a structured questionnaire containing closed and open-ended questions. Questions and statements included were based upon the research of Levinson, 1975; Gould, 1975; and Weathersby, 1977. Purposive and age stratified random sampling of female and male professionals yielded 120 subjects, 60 females and 60 males. Ten females and ten males were in each of six age cohorts, five year spans from 25-55. Data were analyzed using frequencies, means, standard deviations, analysis of variance and multiple classification analysis. Analysis of the developmental tasks of both genders yielded significant differences between all age gender cohorts on three tasks: (1) starting a career, exploring family/community roles; (2) sharing knowledge and skills, helping the next generation; and (3) becoming a serious member of an occupational group. Significant differences were also found between genders of corresponding age cohorts for identified concerns. The primary findings of this study are summarized by the following statements. There is a five to ten year decrease in the age at which many tasks and concerns previously attributed to a specified age range of adults are now relevant to the lives of adults 25-55. Age is a more influential factor in type and sequence of developmental tasks experienced than is gender. Tasks and concerns attributed primarily to females and based upon traditional views of female roles within American society, such as marriage and parenting, now have a decreased frequency and priority of importance in the lives of females 25-55.
Subject Area
Adult education|Continuing education
Recommended Citation
CHERRY, BRENDA SMITHERMAN, "RELEVANCE OF GENDER AND AGE ON ADULT DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS AND DOMINANT CONCERNS FOR SELECTED PROFESSIONALS" (1981). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8208345.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8208345