Gender differences in life values: The israeli case

The study examined gender differences in the importance attributed to life values among 109 Israeli participants. Based on Schwartz's typology, gender differences were examined with regard to four main aspects: The importance attributed to different life values; the hierarchical structure of life values; intercorrelations between different life values; and correlations between life values and background variables. The findings revealed gender differences in only two out of the 10 life values examined. Specifically, the men attributed more importance than women to the value of social power, whereas women attributed more importance than men to the value of universalism. Regarding differences in the hierarchical structure of life values, the findings indicated that the hierarchy of values was more structured among women than men, i.e., women showed a greater tendency than men to distinguish clear categories of life values. In addition, more intercorrelations were found between the different values among women than among men. This indicates that the women's cognitive map of values was more coherent than that of men. Finally, more relationships were found between background variables and values among the women than among the men.. The similarities and differences found between men and women with regard to the aspects of life values examined in the study reflect the changes in gender roles in contemporary societies that have increased the similarities between men and women.