Women run Fortune 500 companies and men may become 'stay-at-home' dads. However, despite the fact that a woman has made a credible bid for the presidency in recent memory, and the greater success of women in professional life, it is likely that 'soft-spoken' is still viewed as a more desirable attribute for a female. Attributes such as 'athletic' may have become more gender-neutral, given the greater permeation of women in sports and some of the most limiting stereotypes, that women are more 'shy' might have decreased to some degree. The list of positive female and male attributes would likely have more convergence today, and thus there would be more gender-neutral values. However, some traits would likely still be seen as more desirable for men and women along the lines of the original list, although to a lesser degree -- leadership skills might be seen as more important for males to embody, although now seen as more important for women to exhibit as well.
Generate a list of items describing attributes that you feel are desirable for women. Also make another list...
Are they different or similar? How do they compare with the items from the BSRI?
In my personal value system, I do not believe there is any difference between what are desirable attributes for men or women -- compassion, thoughtfulness, standing up for one's beliefs, being a good listener, being intellectually curious and tolerant, and being a good leader are all important for both women and men to exhibit. The only thing I would change from the original BSRI is that the original test contains many references to different words for assertiveness, presumably because women were discouraged from being assertive in Bem's view, when she first constructed the test. Today, we might be more apt to ask: why is assertiveness seen as the most positive value for men, and for women wishing to assume what are considered more masculine positions in the workforce? What does this say about our culture as well as about gender stereotypes? Being a good listener is equally as important as being a leader, as is intelligence and open-mindedness.
