Gender Differences in Values Toward Life
             Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063
             This study is primarily concerned with whether or not male college students differ from female college students on their attitudes and values towards specifically five aspects of life (family, success, friends, health, and significant other). Thirty participants (15 males and 15 females) filled out questionnaire forms asking for them to rank these particular five aspects in order in which they feel most important to them. Results indicate that there are, in fact, significant gender differences in participants' responses regarding success and significant other.
             Researchers interested in gender differences have carefully examined the nature of gender role stereotypes and the degree to which they are manifested in male and female behavior. In fact, males and females behave in accordance with the social roles that they occupy. "Males are more assertive and controlling, whereas females are more selfless, nurturing, and concerned with others" (Winquist, Mohr & Kenny, 1998).
             This study examines gender differences in their perception of the importance of mainly five aspects of life: family, success, friendship, health, and significant other. Previous studies indicate a difference between female and male attitudes towards each of these five aspects.
             Family climate has played a considerable role in explaining children's adjustment and social interrelations (Patterson, 1982). Family is an extremely important social structure that provides us with love and support. Malka Margalit and Sybil Eysenck (1990) conducted a study investigating gender differences for personality structure, family climate, and social skills among male and female adolescents. The results of this study indicated that there were no significant gender differences between female and male adolescents in regard to family. They found that males viewed their fam...