Lateralness in women's work: New views on success

Data from a longitudinal study of postbaccalaureate nursing careers are discussed in the context of the motive-to-avoid-success controversy. Two groups of nurses with continuous work histories were intensively studied. While most had experienced upward professional mobility, a significant minority had lateral careers, which, though not characterized by advancement, typically provide rewards of intensification. Further, lateral careers only occurred in specialties allowing a high degree of professional autonomy. Thus, upward mobility and advancement should not be the sole criteria of women's occupational progress. Alternative conceptions of success may be significant in many occupations, although such beliefs may not serve as viable substitutes for professional autonomy and the opportunity for personal development. Lateral movement may also characterize most men's work lives more aptly than descent or ascent; hence the findings underscore the necessity to rethink the image of movement in both male and female work spheres.The research upon which this paper is based was supported by a grant from the Nursing Resources Division, USPHS (Grant NU-004-94-03) for the study of Post-Baccalaureate Careers in Nursing, Fred Davis and Virginia Olesen, Principal Investigators, Ellen Lewin, Assistant Project Director. This article was originally presented as a paper at the Pacific Sociological Association meetings, Sacramento, California, April 1977, where the panel commentator, Sheryl Ruzek, provided useful comments on the essay. Jane Tabata Usami provided a very helpful bibliographic search and other technical assistance.