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ARTICLES

Gender and the relative centrality of major life domains: changes over the course of time

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Pages 57-62 | Received 15 May 2009, Published online: 23 Sep 2010
 

Abstract

The current preliminary research presents initial findings of a cross-sectional study between 1981 and 2006. This is follow-up research regarding ‘meaning of work’ studies held in 1981 and 1993 and examines the changes of relative centrality of major life domains (work, family, leisure, community and religion) in Israel according to gender. The participants are representative samples of the Israeli labor force in 1981, 1993 and 2006. The results indicate that, as in the past, family centrality is higher among women than among men. While in 1981 and 1993 men showed a higher work centrality than women, in 2006 no traditional gender differences were found in work centrality. Moreover, only in 2006 community and religion are regarded more important among men than among women. The paper discusses the main changes taking place and suggests some explanations.

Esta investigación preliminar presenta resultados iníciales de un estudio seccional cruzado entre los años 1981 y 2006. Esta es una investigación de seguimiento sobre estudios de la ‘esencia del trabajo’ que fueron realizados en los años 1981 y 1983 que examina los cambios de centralidad relativa de importantes áreas de la vida (trabajo, familia, tiempo libre, comunidad y religión) en Israel de acuerdo con el género. Los participantes forman parte de un muestreo representativo de la fuerza de trabajo Israelí en los años 1981, 1993 y 2006. Los resultados indican que así como en el pasado, la centralidad de la familia es mayor entre las mujeres que entre los hombres. Mientras que en 1981 y 1993 los hombres mostraban una mayor centralidad laboral que las mujeres, en el año 2006 no se encontraron diferencias genéricas en la centralidad laboral. Además, sólo en el año 2006 comunidad y religión fueron catalogadas como más importantes entre los hombres que entre las mujeres. Este artículo aborda los principales cambios ocurridos y sugiere algunas explicaciones.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the US–Israel Bi-national Science Foundation (BSF) and the Israeli Association for Research Foundations. The contribution of these institutions is gratefully acknowledged.

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