Gender Differences in Work Attitudes and Work Experience in a Student Sample

Status inconsistency can be found between women's education level and labor market position. Concerning participation rates in formal education the advantage of women can be observed as early as the 1980s (Forray 1986), whereas even recently women in the labor market seem to be in a disadvantages position compared to men. However women's advantage cannot be said to be complete even in the education system. Boys' and girls' schools go in different directions; horizontal segregation is taking place according to gender. A “neosegregation” of boys' and girls' schools is gaining ground as coeducation is driven back, which may put the girls in a disadvantaged position. “In the vertical structure of the education system girls have gained advantage over the boys, but in the horizontal structure the traditional choices have proved to be overwhelming.” (Forray, Hegedűs 1987: 234). In the grammar schools of minor settlements and in the outskirts of cities girls are in majority, whereas in schools of higher prestige in cities the gender rates seem to be balanced. Also in vocational secondary schools segregation by traditional male and female professions is prevalent (Forray 1986). Besides, segregation by gender can also be found in higher education (see Fényes 2009b)