GENDER AND VALUES

We examine gender differences in the fundamental value orientations of U.S. adolescents. We focus on concern with finding purpose and meaning in life and the basis on which meaning is derived, including connection to others and contribution to their well-being, and economic success that involves embracing the market values of materialism and competition. We develop three measures of value orientation: (1) compassion, which reflects concern and responsibility for the well-being of others; (2) materialism, which reflects emphasis on material benefit and competition; and (3) meaning, which reflects philosophical concern with finding purpose and meaning in life. We find substantial gender differences on all three measures. Females in our sample are more likely than males to express concern and responsibility for the well-being of others, less likely than males to accept materialism and competition, and more likely than males to indicate that finding purpose and meaning in life is extremely important. These differences are observed throughout the period from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s and show little sign of decreasing; they are evident across social class subgroups and cannot be explained by gender differences in religiosity or the perceived availability of social support.