Career aspirations of urban, Mexican American adolescent females

The gender distribution of jobs remains vastly disproportionate, especially among minority groups: Women continue to be overrepresented in traditional ly female-occupied jobs and underrepresented in high-status, high-paying oc cupations. Literature on gender distribution of careers and factors affecti ng career choice remains sparse where ethnic minority females are concerned . The present study attempts to fill this gap and focuses on adolescent fem ales from Mexican American backgrounds. Descriptive findings indicate the g eneral male dominance of females' career aspirations. Compared to females a spiring to highly female-dominated careers, females aspiring to highly male -dominated careers were more acculturated earned higher grade point average s (GPAs) and higher achievement scores in science and social studies, and h eld higher educational aspirations and expectations, and a greater number o f this group evidenced a clear understanding of the steps needed to achieve career goals. Findings are discussed in terms of their contradiction of pr evious findings and Mexican cultural norms.