Grey’s Anatomy Encourages Girls to Be Doctors?
A recent article on RedOrbit sheds light on an interesting poll result: more teenage girls want to be doctors than ever before. The article names Grey’s Anatomy as a possible reason for the bump in career choice.
Of 1,500 students ages 13 to 19, the proportion of girls who cited doctor as their ideal job was 10 percent - up from 8.3 percent in 2004, when the girls’ top response was “businesswoman.”
This year, business ranks third among girls; teacher is second. Boys’ top career choices are businessman, 14 percent; professional athlete, 9.4 percent; and computer field, 7.8 percent.
Darrell Luzzo, the senior vice president of education for JA Worldwide, attributes girls’ piqued interest in medicine to Grey’s Anatomy.
“We saw a similar effect in 2004 when The Apprentice was very popular during its first season,” he said. “It was the only year that businessperson was the top career choice of girls.”
I find the trend a little worrisome, though I suppose we should be grateful that The Sopranos didn’t have more of an impact in people’s career decisions. Or did it?
I did run into a man once who upon learning I had lived in New Jersey said, “I’ve always wanted to be Tony Soprano!” That scared me a little.
Better that they want to be doctors than mobsters, right?
What do you think about the idea that television shows might impact the choices teenagers make toward their future? Has Grey’s Anatomy made you wish to be a doctor?
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4 opinions for Grey’s Anatomy Encourages Girls to Be Doctors?
MTM
Mar 26, 2007 at 10:56 am
I think weekly TV shows definitely have an impact on kids and the career options they believe are open to them. I myself watched Mary Tyler Moore, and so admired her. I just assumed she lived the way most women lived — independent, smart, great wardrobe ;). I didn’t end up in TV production, but I must say, the idea of a career woman initially came to me first from my mother, then MTM ;)
ashley
Mar 26, 2007 at 12:13 pm
mhm meee, haha.
=]
maggie
Mar 26, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Grey’s Anatomy definitely makes me want to be a doctor…not for REAL, but it really does make saving people’s lives look so amazing.
dandan
Mar 30, 2007 at 4:44 am
I think TV really does have an impact on career choice. I mean if someone came up to me and said do you want to be a CIA spy id jump at the chance (Alias-Michael Vartan…who wouldnt)but I think TV influences isnt a bad thing. It gives teens a bit of an insight into the career (even if it is greatly dramatised). I want to be an editor after watching great shows like Alias and Grey’s Anatomy and if i had the patience to go through medical school i probably would have!
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