Chapter 9: Work Values in the Lives of Diverse Individuals: Examining Race and Socioeconomic Status

Recognition of the role of culture and context in conceptualizations of work values is longstanding (Carter, Gushue, & Weitzman, 1994; Nevill & Super, 1989) and continues today (Fassinger, 2008; Heppner & O’Brien, 2006; Lyons & O’Brien 2006; Richardson, 2012). Recent cultural critiques have focused on the generalizability of existing theories given that these theories may reflect a set of assumptions specific to the privileged culture of those populations with which and for whom they were developed. These assumptions include an adequate supply of positions relative to demand, the centrality of work in the lives of individuals, and the relevance of choice in work (or a career, even) that corresponds with values (Fassinger, 2001; Heppner & O’Brien, 2006; Lyons & O’Brien 2006; Richardson, 2012). Given this conceptual recognition of the role of culture it may be relevant to examine the potential influence of cultural features, in this case race and socioeconomic status, upon work values in empirical investigations.