Skip to main content
Log in

Workaholism, sex, and sex role stereotyping among female professionals

  • Published:
Sex Roles Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between workaholism, sex, and sex role orientation among professionals. The sample consisted of 86 male and 106 female attorneys, physicians, and psychologists/therapists. Results indicated a significant relationship between sex and sex role stereotyping. Among females, workaholics were grouped exclusively in the sex role categories masculine and androgynous. Implications for counseling include increasing awareness of changing sex role attitudes among professional women and possible role conflict that can occur from integration of work and family.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allgeier, E. R. Beyond sowing and growing: The relationship of sex-typing to socialization, family plans, and future orientation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 1975, 5, 217–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailyn, L. Involvement and accommodation in technical careers: An inquiry into the reaction to work at mid-career. In Van Maanen (Ed.), Organizational Careers: Some new perspectives. London: Wiley, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, R. C., & Baruch, G. K. Women's involvement in multiple roles, role strain and psychological distress. Working paper #107. Wellesley College, Center for Research on Women, Wellesley, Mass., 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baruch, G. K., & Barnett, R. C. Role quality, multiple role involvement and psychological well-being in midlife women. Working paper #149. Wellesley College, Center for Research on Women, Wellesley, Mass., 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bem, S. L. The measurement of psychological androgyny. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1974, 42, 155–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernard, J. The future of marriage. New York: World, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cantarow, E. Women workaholics. Mother Jones, 1979, 6, 56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deutsch, C. The workaholic spouse. The Parent's Magazine, 1979, 54, 36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, C. G. Woman's place: Options and limits on professional careers. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flaim, P. O., & Fullerton, H. N. Labor force projections of 1990: Three possible paths. Monthly Labor Review, 1978, 12, 25–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frieze, I. H., Parsons, J. E., Johnson, P. B., Ruble, D. N., & Zellman, G. L. Women and sex roles: A social psychological perspective. New York: W. W. Norton and Co., 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gove, W. R., & Tudor, J. Adult sex roles and mental illness. American Journal of Sociology, 1973, 78, 812–835.

    Google Scholar 

  • Machlowitz, M. Workaholism: What's wrong with being married to your work? Working Women, 1978, 3, 51–52, 75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Machlowitz, M. Workaholics: Living with them, working with them. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moiser, S. K. Workaholics: An analysis of their stress, success and priorities. Unpublished master's thesis, results reported in Marriage and Divorce Today, 1984, 4, 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nieva, V. F., & Gutek, B. A. Women and work: A psychological perspective. New York: Prager, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pifer, A. Women working toward a new society. The Urban and Social Change Review, 1978, 11, 3–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rand, L. Masculinity or femininity? Differentiating career-oriented and homemaking-oriented college freshmen women. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1968, 15(5), 444–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoper, E. Alternative work patterns and the double life. In E. Boneparth (Ed.), Women, power and policy. New York: Pergamon Press, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vierra, A., & Yogev, S. Childlessness and workloads of university faculty women. Mansucript submitted for publication, 1982.

  • Yankelovich, D. Work, values and the new breed. In C. Keer & J. M. Rosow (Eds.), Work in America: The decade ahead. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Doerfler, M.C., Kammer, P.P. Workaholism, sex, and sex role stereotyping among female professionals. Sex Roles 14, 551–560 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287455

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287455

Keywords

Navigation