Despite efforts to promote gender equality, a new IZA discussion paper by Stefan Wolter and Thea Zöllner reveals a hidden hurdle: Swiss parents may unintentionally push their sons towards traditionally male careers.
The authors conducted a large survey experiment with nearly 6,000 adults in Switzerland. Participants were presented with a realistic scenario: choosing a vocational training path for their hypothetical child (son or daughter) from two different options. Notably, participants weren’t told the gender distribution of these careers.
The surprising finding? Parents displayed no bias when advising daughters, but showed a strong preference for male-dominated fields when guiding their sons. This bias held true across different age groups and even for those without children, suggesting a deeper societal pattern.
This research highlights the need to address unconscious biases to ensure young people have the freedom to pursue their true career aspirations, regardless of gender stereotypes.