Islam and Sex Equity in Career Pursuit A Theoretical Framework for Career Counselors Difference VS. Discrimination

Abstract This article deals with the historical issue of uneven distribution of men and women in career paths. It proposes a different perspective on the still ongoing resaerch regarding advancement of women in what is deemed to be men's career territory. It opposes the idea that advancement of women in nontraditional career fields should be a concern for employment counsellors, as Soldwedel(p. 120) argued: “...the employment counsellor's role is promoting sex equity and nontraditional careers for girls and women.”! The argument of this paper is based on three logical tenets: 1) Difference is not discrimination. 2) Personal attributes and environmental conditions, ie., one's interests, abilities, aptitudes, potentialities, values, level of education,...plus her/his environmental opportunities are the prior determinants of her/his career choice and decision making.