More than half of teens still consider mechanics to be men and nurses to be women

MORE than half of teens still consider mechanics to be men and nurses to be women.

A poll of 1,000 13–17-year-olds found 72 per cent feel some careers and job roles are only for a certain gender.

Trades are still typically considered to be for men, including bricklayers (59 per cent), plumbers (59 per cent) and electricians (53 per cent).

While hairdressers (58 per cent), childminders (53 per cent) and receptionists (52 per cent) are dominated by women.

In terms of industries, construction (54 per cent), childcare (49 per cent) and beauty (49 per cent) are most associated with a specific gender.

The research was commissioned by housebuilding group, untypical, and found despite 47 per cent viewing engineers as typically male, 12 per cent of girls have considered it as a career.

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But more than double the number of boys (15 per cent), compared with just six per cent of girls, have thought about a job as a police officer.

And a fifth of girls (21 per cent) have considered becoming a teacher, in comparison to just a tenth of boys (nine per cent).

Amelia Maydom, head of learning and development for untypical, which has created an online hub with real-life stories from people working across the construction industry, said: “Our findings show job roles remain heavily gendered, even though younger people claim they want to challenge these perceptions.

“In the construction industry and trades in general, we’re keen to spark conversation and highlight the range of roles available, encouraging people of all genders to consider them.

“We all have abilities that lend themselves to different jobs and industries, regardless of gender.

“It would be encouraging to see the younger generation help drive change, as there is still a long way to go.”

The research also found eight in 10 girls reckon they are just as capable, if not more so, of taking on jobs which are typically seen as being for the opposite gender, while 71 per cent of boys feel the same.

Similarly, three quarters (76 per cent) of teens believe their generation is much more accepting of breaking the norm when it comes to job roles.

Yet 41 per cent do not think enough is done in general to encourage all genders into all job roles.

And many youngsters have been put off pursuing a career due to being worried they wouldn’t fit in (24 per cent) or knowing they’d be outnumbered by people of the opposite sex (16 per cent).

The teens’ parents were also polled, revealing 54 per cent reckon there is more acceptance of any gender in any job today than when they were first applying for work.

They’d typically feel supportive (60 per cent) and inspired (24 per cent) if their child wanted to seek a career in an industry which is typically seen as being for the opposite gender.

But while 46 per cent of mums would feel proud, only 36 per cent of dads would.

The OnePoll.com data found 45 per cent of parents have encouraged their child in relation to a career they expressed interest in.

Amelia Maydom added: “Decades ago, seeing female doctors or male carers was uncommon.

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“While change has been gradual, there is still plenty of progress to be made.

“We hope in the near future, female bricklayers and male secretaries will be seen as the norm, and no one feels held back from following their ideal career.”