Understanding the Persistence of Occupational Sex Segregation in German Labour Markets: How Gender Attitudes Shape Young Women’s Occupational Aspirations

Abstract The persistence of occupational sex segregation is a global phenomenon that relegates women into lower paid, status jobs. Understanding why young apparently choose such jobs integral to reversing decades economic inequality related employment. strength the association between education system and labour market as well high levels makes Germany an interesting case study. Using data from National Education Panel Study (NEPS) Starting Cohort 4 data, I examine whether aspirations female secondary school students are family characteristics and/or attitudes gender roles. results indicate girls with fathers employed in male-dominated occupations hold more conservative than their peers gender-neutral occupations. Girls likely for female-dominated These findings suggest despite growth knowledge-based industries, socialisation women, particularly regard appropriate roles continues influence aspirations.