Men in typically female jobs not motivated by money

Men in characteristically female-dominated occupations tend to value the social aspects of their career over financial rewards, says a study.

"Men who work in typically female-dominated occupations value success in ways that goes beyond salary and promotion," said one of the researchers Kazia Solowiej from University of Worcester in Britain.

"Organisations need to understand that some of their male employees may not be motivated purely by promotional opportunities. Therefore it is important that gender stereotypical assumptions about success are challenged so we can understand what is important to individuals within different occupational contexts," Solowiej pointed out.

For the study, the researchers interviewed a total of 34 men including 15 primary school teachers and 19 university administrators.

The interviews revealed that their definitions of career success included features other than pay and promotion such as building friendships with colleagues and flexible working that enabled time for family and social commitments.

The study was presented at a conference of the British Psychological Society in Nottingham.