Does Sex‐biased Job Advertising “Aid and Abet” Sex Discrimination? 1
Abstract
Two studies are reported which indicate that both sex‐biased wording in job advertisements and the placement of help‐wanted ads in sex‐segregated newspaper columns discourage men and women from applying for “opposite‐sex” jobs for which they might well be qualified. Both studies were originally conducted and presented as part of legal testimony in actual sex discrimination cases.
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The effect of masculine job titles on perceived suitability is not gender-specific.
“This effect, although less pronounced, is also evident in men’s reactions to female occupational titles (Bem and Bem, 1973), indicating that it is not a gender-specific effect.”
From What affects people’s use of and attitudes toward gender-inclusive language? A literature review (2025) · cites this paper as Bem and Bem, 1973
The effect of masculine job titles on perceived suitability is also evident, although less pronounced, in men's reactions to female occupational titles.
“This effect, although less pronounced, is also evident in men’s reactions to female occupational titles (Bem and Bem, 1973), indicating that it is not a gender-specific effect.”
From What affects people’s use of and attitudes toward gender-inclusive language? A literature review (2025) · cites this paper as Bem and Bem, 1973
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- Authors
- Bem, S. L., & Bem, D. J.
- Affiliations
- Stanford University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1973-03
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 6-18
- ISSN
- 0021-9029 (ISSN-L)
- 1559-1816
- OpenAlex
- W2087202903
- Cited by
- 218
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.32
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Studies in Language
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Media, Gender, and Advertising
- Social Sciences › Law › Discrimination and Equality Law
- Keywords
- gender discrimination, job advertisements, gender segregation, newspaper columns, job applications, court testimony, employment discrimination
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