GENDER STEREOTYPES

BARRIERS IN CAREER CHOICE THAT INTERFERE WITH FREEDOM OF DECISION

Abstract

The choice of an undergraduate degree is often influenced by gender stereotypes, which associate different skills and behaviors with men and women from childhood. Characteristics such as communication and care are generally attributed to women, while logic and technical ability are associated with men, shaping social and educational expectations. The present study aims to discuss the freedom of professional choice in the face of these stereotypes, using secondary data from the Internship Report of the Psychology Program. A total of 160 questionnaires were administered to university students aged 18 to 36, with a predominance of 19-year-olds, across eight different programs. Most participants (94%) stated that gender did not influence their choice, and 85% reported not feeling pressured regarding their professional choice. Furthermore, 78% would choose the same program even if they were of another gender, and 48% do not see certain fields as more appropriate for a specific gender. However, 81.25% were inspired by someone in choosing their profession, and 72% of these influences came from people of the same gender. Thus, although most participants claim to make choices free of stereotypes, the influences reveal that gender still has an impact, indicating the need for further studies and discussions to overcome these barriers.