This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Google Scholar Articles by Arthur, N. Articles by Lee, C. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Arthur, N. Articles by Lee, C. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Young Australian Women's Aspirations for Work, Marriage and Family

`I Guess I Am Just Another Person Who Wants It All'

University of Queensland, Australia

Christina Lee

University of Queensland, Australia, c.lee{at}psy.uq.edu.au

Multiple roles remain a reality for women. While there is debate over whether this arises from personal aspirations or social arrangements, it is clear that it results in stress and reductions in emotional well-being. We asked 13 female Australian university students about their aspirations for age 35, with reference to relationships, motherhood and work, and conducted a thematic analysis. Most aspired to traditional roles as wives, mothers and part-time workers, despite simultaneously wanting postgraduate professional education. They expected husbands in professional careers who would meet the family's financial needs. Strong implicit assumptions regarding gender and social class were identified. The analysis raises the question of young men's aspirations and their match with women's.

Key Words: aspirations • qualitative • roles • women

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?