Experts point out that students create role models and build career aspirations by looking at people of their own gender, arguing that they should be introduced to “a variety of role models regardless of gender.” (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent survey by the government showed that career aspirations among elementary school students differed based on gender.
The Ministry of Education conducted a survey of 24,000 elementary, middle, and high school students inquiring about preferred career aspirations, in which athletes, teachers and YouTube creators were most popular.
From a female perspective, however, athletes and YouTube creators ranked only 17th and 20th in terms of career aspirations.
Female respondents preferred to work as teachers, beauty designers, doctors, and bakers.
Only teachers, doctors, police officers, cooks, and legal experts made it to the top 10 preferred career aspirations for both male and female respondents.
While CEOs and architects began to appear on the top 10 list among male middle school students, they did not show on the female’s top 10.
Instead, beauty designers, flight attendants, nurses, kindergarten teachers, and psychologists featured on the top 10 list for female middle school students.
Experts point out that students create role models and build career aspirations by looking at people of their own gender, arguing that they should be introduced to “a variety of role models regardless of gender.”
“School education still tends to educate children based on gender roles,” said Jung Hyun-jin, spokesperson for the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers Union.
“The school curriculum should be revised in a way that ensures students are exposed to a variety of career options.”
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
