A recent study has revealed that the use of gender-fair job titles does not significantly alter the career aspirations of teenagers in the health care sector. Lucie Escasain and her team at Université Paris-Saclay carried out the research. Their goal was to determine whether displaying job titles in a gender-neutral manner could change adolescents’ perceptions and aspirations regarding various health care professions. The findings were published in the journal Open Psychology and were reported on July 22, 2025, in an article titled “Gender-fair job titles don’t shift teen career aspirations in health care, study finds.”
The study involved participants who were presented with job descriptions for three specific occupations: nurse, surgeon, and clinical psychologist. These titles were presented in one of three formats: masculine, gender-fair, or without any title. Their goal was to test whether the gendered nature of these titles discourages teens from wanting to pursue careers in these fields. They chose to pursue careers stereotypically linked to their respective genders.
Study Design and Methodology
In crafting the research, Escasain and her team knew they were playing into those old stereotypes for some health care roles. Because the surgeon position is depicted as masculine and the nurse profession is feminine by nature, this perpetuates stereotypes. The clinical psychologist occupation, by contrast, has been largely gender-neutral. By evaluating how different title presentations affect adolescents’ career aspirations, the study aimed to provide insights into whether rebranding could help bridge gender gaps in these fields.
Participants were given a brief descriptor for each occupation paired with one of the title treatments. For example, one respondent might have viewed “Surgeon,” “Surgeon, Gender-Neutral,” or just nothing there as a title. This approach allowed researchers to gauge the impact of language on career choices among teens, particularly in a domain where gender stereotypes have historically influenced aspirations.
Key Findings and Implications
The study’s results indicated that despite the use of gender-fair job titles, there was no significant shift in the teens’ career aspirations toward nursing or surgery. Adolescents still tended to flock to activities that matched their developed gender schemas and beliefs about what was appropriate for each gender. This outcome suggests that simply altering job titles may not be sufficient to challenge entrenched beliefs about gender roles within the health care profession.
These recommendations have deep ramifications for those who educate, create policy, and advocate for arts education. They can use this knowledge to advance gender equity in future career ambitions. The lack of effect from gender-fair titles points to a more troubling concern. We must create deeper, systemic approaches that address the means of socialization perpetuating these stereotypes. This begs the question, how do you authentically connect with young people? We have to motivate them to think about a wider array of career possibilities outside of society’s gender roles.
Future Directions for Research
As the study published under DOI: 10.1515/psych-2025-0006 indicates, further research is essential to explore alternative methods for influencing adolescents’ career aspirations effectively. Exploring other variables can uncover crucial information. Innovative mentorship programs, exposure to diverse role models, and educational interventions can begin to break down the societal barriers that close career paths for young people based on gender.
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