PRESCHOOL CHILDREN’S OCCUPATIONAL EXPECTATIONS AND IT’S RELATION TO THEIR PERCEPTION OF GENDER-TYPED OCCUPATIONS

Abstract

The present study explored preschool children‟s occupational expectations and it‟s relation to 
their perception of gender typed occupations. Occupations can be ideally divided in to two, male 
and female dominant. Literatures convey that while men are employed in executive, 
administrative and managerial level, women are employed in very stereotypical occupations in 
Sri Lanka. The present research explored whether these perceptions of gender typed occupations 
are stemming from early childhood. Limited research have been carried out pertaining to this 
area in the Sri Lankan context, and thus findings of the study would increase awareness about
gender typed occupations. Eighty four preschool children (Boys = 44; Girls = 40) participated in 
this study. Sample was selected from two preschools located in Matara district. Interviews and 
picture responses (pictures cards containing occupational instruments) were used as the tools. 
The results of the study conveyed that preschool children‟s current perception of gender typed 
occupation strongly affects their occupational expectations and that here was no significant 
gender difference in preschool children‟s perception of gender-typed occupations. Further, 
parents‟ and adults‟ occupations influenced preschool children‟s occupational expectations.