The present study was designed to investigate possible gender differences regarding age-work
value relationship, age-work reward relationship, age-work satisfaction relationship,
and determinants of work satisfaction. Another objective of this study was to
examine the hypothesis that age has an indirect positive effect on work satisfaction
through its relationship to work values and work rewards.
Data utilized, the National Survey of Lawyers' Career Satisfaction, 1984, were originally
collected by Hirsch. Only respondents in the mail survey were included in this study.
After deducting non-white respondents and those who were retired, unemployed, or
holding non-legal position, 1152 male lawyers and 234 female lawyers were left in the
sample.
The main finding was that gender does act as a moderator in the age-work value relationship,
the age-work reward relationship, and the determinants of work satisfaction.
More specifically, in the male group, older individuals were found to attach more importance
to intrinsic work values, hold higher positions, and earn greater incomes than
their younger counterparts. In addition, predictors of work satisfaction for the male
lawyers were indicated to be income, age, work values, and position. In contrast, in the
female group, age differences in work values or work positions were not found. However,
older individuals do earn greater incomes than their younger counterpart. Work
values seem to be the only predictor of work satisfaction for females. Overall, the results
did not support the hypothesis that age's positive relationship with work satisfaction is
mediated by work values and work rewards.
Plausible explanations were proffered. Finally, implications for academic research on
age-work satisfaction relationship were also discussed.
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