Shaping futures through gendered lenses: secondary school students’ perceptions on gender roles and career choices

Introduction: The qualitative research study aims to determine secondary school students' perceptions of how gender roles affect their career choices. Methods: In this study, the qualitative research design "phenomenology" was used. The study group was determined according to the maximum diversity sampling technique, one of the purposeful sampling methods. The study group consisted of 100 students attending different types of secondary schools in the province of Sakarya. A semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers was used as the data collection tool in the study. This form consisted of four sections: demographic information, educational information, questions related to career preferences, and gender roles. Content analysis was used to analyze the data, and student opinions were included. Results: The study's findings revealed that the students' thoughts and perceptions were consistent with traditional gender roles and that this effect was evident in their career choices. Male students want to work in a profession that offers high pay and career opportunities. In contrast, female students want to work in a profession that does not interfere with their domestic responsibilities, especially motherhood. The students who participated in the study believe they will be more successful and more easily employed in occupational groups associated with traditional gender roles in the workplace. Discussion: The students explained their career choices within the same frameworks and boundaries, using traditional gender perceptions.