A Content Analysis of Women's Career Choices in Film

Abstract

A feminist content analysis of 81 films was conducted as a means to assist mental health practitioners in guiding the career choices of young women and to explore the possibilities for change through this medium. The review of the 117 lead female characters revealed themes including: the idea that relationships should be secondary to careers in women's lives, women are secondary to men in the workplace, women in power are depicted in isolation, women are portrayed in traditional careers more than nontraditional careers, and regardless of career choice women are often depicted in a negative light.

Keywords:

• controlling images
• media influence
• career portrayals
• social learning theory
• women's issues
• creativity
• film