The women’s career aspirations have evolved steadily during the twentieth century, and this has resulted in their increased workforce participation rates (Sullivan 100). A multitude of factors has impacted and subdued the aspirations of women’s career and their development over many decades. One of the factors was the traditional belief that the women’s role was considered to take care of their husbands and children. Therefore, it was very unusual for women to be engaged in the various professions especially those requiring them to move away from home. Traditionally, women commonly assisted their husbands with maintaining the family or acted as a business partner, but they often received no pay. This trend changed after World War ?? when the women started to chose careers in the previously male-dominated professions. A few factors contributed to this including the emergence of the single-parent families, which was as a result of either divorce or death of the husband.
Regardless of their marital or parental status labor market, participation among women has increased from 30% in 1950 to more than 50% in 1980. By the late 1970s, nearly 50% of all married women and 40% of all women over age 16 were working (Nowak and Ward 10). Another cause for this change is the emphasis on the creation of an environment in which people consider career options. They make appropriate choices based on their abilities rather than on the expectations of the society. The traditional roles in the family have been affected, due to this shift. Women are increasingly becoming heads of families despite the traditional belief that it is the responsibility of the men. The role of men as the breadwinners in the family has been also changing, since currently women are providing for their families even in the presence of the men. Nowadays, women enjoy the right of ownership the property, which has never used to be the case.
