The Prestige Gap

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Abstract
This article presents evidence from two small samples in the United States and in England that indicates that male and female incumbents in the same occupations are not accorded equal prestige. Respondents accorded men in traditionally male occupations, such as architecture, mining, and construction work, greater prestige than their female counterparts. Women received higher prestige ratings than men in such traditionally female occupations as elementary school teaching, nursing, and secretrial work. These differences persisted throughout the prestige hierarchy, and were most notable for male respondents. The implications of different ratings of male and female incumbents in the same occupations for theory and research are discussed.