Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Program Name/Specialization

Developmental Psychology

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Dr. Eileen Wood

Advisor Role

Thesis Supervisor

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine whether adult gender-based wage inequities are mirrored in the adolescent population. A developmental perspective was taken while examining this topic, so as to pinpoint stages when divergences based on gender might occur. In order to ascertain this, 157 pre-and young adolescents ranging in age from 12-15 years old participated in our survey and a subset of this group (n=89) participated in the follow-up interview. Contained in both the survey and interview were questions pertaining to remuneration, employment, negotiation, gender stereotypes and attitudes about money. Results indicated that young females seem to receive a better financial start within the home than their male peers. However, females tend to take up stereotypic work which may limit their development of new professional skills. Additionally, females do employ negotiation strategies, but they seem to only employ them with parents and not with employers. Instead they seem to expect their employer to set their wages, without thought to, or desire for, the possibility that they could impact their employer’s decision. Furthermore, development of these skills or beliefs does not appear to be linear. Instead particular ages bring forth their own unique differences, and such milestones as the transition from elementary to high school bring about various changes to girls’ and boys’ experiences with work and wages. Overall, the issue of gender-based wage inequality is far more complex than was originally hypothesized and would benefit greatly from longitudinal study in the future.

Convocation Year

2015

Convocation Season

Spring

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