Changes in the importance of work goals according to gender over the course of time

This unique research presents findings of a cross sectional study carried out between 1981 and 2006. This is a follow-up research regarding "meaning of work" studies carried out in 1981 and 1993, which examines the importance of work goals (variety, interest, good pay, interpersonal relations, job security, etc.) in Israel according to gender. The participants are representative samples of the Israeli labor force in 1981 (n=973), 1993 (n=942) and 2006 (n=909). The results indicate that in the last 25 years there have been substantial changes in the importance of work goals where women's values have become more and more similar to these of men. Both men and women have showed an increase in the importance they have attached to instrumental goals of good pay and job security over the course of time. Nevertheless, women have made the most dramatic change towards instrumental goals and have closed the traditional gaps between them and men. This increase in the importance of good pay and job security reflects the increase of working importance among women. Despite this change, women still regard convenient work hours as more important than men. The findings disclose an increased potential for work-family conflict among Israeli women in the last decade since women view work as more and more important in their lives but still see themselves as responsible for traditional domestic family activities (e.g. raising children) more than men. These arguments can lead to the assumption that gender socialization and social expectations in the family domain have not changed over the years.