I debated writing about this topic, because I am going to describe a theory that suggests we limit our career choices at a young age. Even though our careers become a large identifier in who we are, we don’t like to think or talk about careers. Career, as a topic, is kind of boring to some people. And for children, while interested in pretend play, the concept of career seems like an intangible concept – a decision for a future, grown-up day. We want our children to just stay little. But maybe that means keeping choices open and creating a world of possibilities for our children without limiting their futures. And we can’t do that by ignoring and lacking intention with early career development.
When my son was 4 years old, he unprompted said, “Moms are teachers.” I figured this connection was made, because, at that point in time, his interactions with male figures in the classroom were limited. He also assumed I was a teacher. He was starting to observe and categorize the world of work. Children absorb messages and download information about the world on a daily basis. Their perceptions and judgments begin to form at a young age. These perceptions are not limited by topic and certainly include the world of work.
There is a psychological theory that speaks into this cognitive process – Linda Gottfredson’s Theory of Circumscription and Compromise. There are four developmental processes described in her theory including cognitive growth, self-creation, circumscription, and compromise. Her theory focuses on how individuals choose careers, particularly in relation to socioeconomic background and the opportunities available to them. Her theory suggests that these processes and developmental stages lead individuals to limit or expand their career options at an early age, which can affect a person’s ability to find fulfilling work throughout their lifespan. According to the theory, children eliminate many careers based on social influence before they fully explore or consider all of the options.
As parents, we can help challenge the stereotypes that limit our children’s career options and help them along the path to finding a fulfilling career. Before we delve into how we can help our children, let’s break down some of the key concepts from Gottfredson’s theory:
- Cognitive growth: As children develop, their understanding and ability to process information grows. They begin to form impressions about careers – either limiting or expanding their options based on their beliefs about those jobs as well as themselves. My 3-year-old consistently recognizes that both of his parents work, saying things like, “Daddy goes to work; mommy goes work.” He then goes on to say that he and his brother go to school. From his point of view, the only place for grown-ups is work; and the only place for children is school. His knowledge is limited to his observations and experiences. From this point on, his judgments of different jobs that are out there and the impression he forms of himself will become key components in his career choice, according to Gottfredson’s theory.
- Self-creation: This is a big concept. I won’t delve into all aspects of it. But to summarize, Gottfredson suggests that while many characteristics of an individual are natural biologically, the further development of these characteristics are shaped by the experiences a person is exposed to. Once our traits are realized through interactions with others; by observing ourselves and others’ reactions to us; we develop a self-concept. Thus, a lack of exposure to experiences impacts the expression of an individual’s potential. This also leads people to limit career options based on their own impressions of themselves.
- Circumscription refers to the process by which individuals, during their youth, develop an understanding of social roles and occupational options. According to Gottfredson, children begin to categorize jobs based on gender, prestige, and other societal norms. They make judgments about which careers are appropriate or desirable for people like themselves based on gender, race, and socioeconomic status. This is a subconscious act of human development.
- Compromise occurs when individuals adjust their career aspirations to accommodate limitations imposed by their circumstances such as socioeconomic status, academic achievement, or societal expectations. This may involve sacrificing certain career goals in favor of more “realistic” goals that are perceived as attainable given their circumstances.
- Developmental stages: Gottfredson identified several stages that individuals experience as they navigate the process of circumscription and compromise. These stages happen during those processes.
- Stage 1: Orientation to Size and Power (Ages 3-5): Children initially categorize jobs based on observable characteristics such as size and power. They may develop simplistic notions of certain occupations being “for boys” or “for girls” based on stereotypical gender roles. This was observed in the above example where my son categorized teachers as a job for “moms,” i.e. women.
- Stage 2: Orientation to Gender Roles (Ages 6-8): As children age, they become more aware of gender roles and begin to categorize occupations based on gender stereotypes. They may eliminate certain career options that do not align with societal expectations for their gender.
- Stage 3: Orientation to Social Valuation (Ages 9-13): Youth further refine their career aspirations based on societal perceptions of occupational prestige and social status. They become more aware of the social hierarchy of occupations and adjust their aspirations accordingly.
- Stage 4: Orientation to Internal, Unique Self (14+): In this stage, individuals begin to consider personal interests, abilities, and values when making career decisions. They move away from external influences and stereotypes and focus on aligning their career choices with their individual strengths and preferences.
- External Factors: Gottfredson also recognized the influence of external factors such as socioeconomic status, parental expectations, educational opportunities, and cultural norms on the circumscription and compromise process. Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds may face greater limitations in terms of available opportunities and may compromise more extensively.
As we contemplate the complex interplay among individual aspirations, societal expectations, and external constraints in shaping career development for individuals, it’s equally important to influence our children’s impressions of themselves and the world of work through early career development. Parents can use the knowledge of this theory to help their children expand career options by:
- Encouraging them to explore careers by providing them information free of gender bias. Let them pretend to be a variety of different roles present in society – nurses, teachers, doctors, astronauts, veterinarians, police officers, plumbers, garbage collectors, etc.;
- Exposing and involving them in a variety of different activities, i.e. music, sports, art, reading, etc., that help provide them an understanding of their aptitudes, building a strong self-concept;
- Using self-assessment tools to better articulate their interests and skills;
- Showing them role models in careers they’re interested in;
- Helping teens recognize how stereotypes, rather than their aptitudes, may have led them to reject certain career paths. What can be considered if those beliefs are stripped away?
- Finding scholarships and training programs that can help assist with financial burdens that limit the pursuit of certain careers;
- Teaching teens job search skills, including job shadowing, networking, and conducting informational interviews to learn about career options;
- Identifying strategies to overcome barriers that may exist that cause individuals to limit their career options.
