Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses
Date of Award
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
First Advisor
Carol Sisson
Second Advisor
Tim Herrmann
Third Advisor
Scott Moeschberger
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand the impact Evangelical gender roles have on college females’ vocational aspirations. The participants were divided into two groups based on common Evangelical gender roles, Complementarianism and Egalitarianism. Groups were determined by the participants’ responses to a gender role ideology inventory that was completed prior to qualitative interviews with the researcher. The research was guided by one research question:
1) How do Evangelical gender role perspectives impact college females’ vocational aspirations?
The study was rooted in grounded theory; therefore a core story emerged from participants: Evangelical college females heard conflicting messages and internalized contradicting expectations, which led to compromise in future vocational aspirations involving career, education, and motherhood. The core story was further supported by the major themes that emerged including: the influence of family, confusion over the roles of a woman, the influence of Evangelical culture, and the resulting impact on vocation of career, education, motherhood, and civic engagement. Implications for practice include suggestions on how to better prepare women for the balance of career, motherhood, and civic pursuits.
Recommended Citation
Wilson, Amy L., "The Impact of Evangelical Gender Roles on College Females' Vocational Aspirations" (2013). Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses. 69.
https://pillars.taylor.edu/mahe/69