Gender Differences in the Aircraft Maintenance Career Field,

Abstract

Recently, the Air Force has experienced a substantial increase in the number of women working in the non-traditional mechanics career areas. To investigate any differences in the job expectations, experiences, and attitudes of males and females working as Air Force aircraft mechanics, a questionnaire was administered to 800 women and 1600 men in the aircraft maintenance career field. Items were included in the questionnaire to assess why the individual entered the career field, past interest and experience in mechanics, expectations about the job before entering the career field, experiences since entering the career field, and attitudes toward the job, the Air Force and reenlistment. The responses to the questionnaire were analyzed for overall male/female differences, male/female differences within job types in the career field and the relationships among different experiential factors and attitudes, with specific emphasis on reenlistment intent. Results are discussed in terms of gender differences, job type differences and with respect to retention probabilities.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1981
Accession Number
ADP001345

Entities

People

  • M. Suzanne Lipscomb

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Aircraft
  • Aircraft Maintenance
  • Aircrafts
  • Maintenance
  • Mechanics
  • Probability
  • Questionnaires
  • Reenlistment
  • Virginia

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Naval Personnel Management
  • Organizational Psychology.