A study investigated why single parents and displaced homemakers did not choose nontraditional careers more frequently. A survey was administered to 171 men and women in 7 locations in Kentucky who were enrolled in single parent/homemaker programs or in Job Training Partnership Act, vocational training, or associate degree programs. The six-part survey explored the image participants had of people who chose traditional versus nontraditional employment. It asked participants to rank reasons for choosing the job for which they were training and tested the strength of their preference for traditional careers. Participants were asked to name traditional-male and traditional-female jobs in response to questions, and employment and demographic information was collected. Female participants found a female who had chosen a female job more attractive, feminine, and high class. Interest and opportunity for advancement were the most important reasons females gave for choosing to train for traditional jobs. The average number of traditional-male jobs selected was 10.1 (out of 16) for males but 2.7 for females. Females thought female jobs would be more satisfying, interesting, and sex appropriate. Three reasons for choosing traditional careers were suggested: (1) traditional jobs were more interesting, made one more attractive, and were most appropriate; (2) women received misinformation; and (3) training for nontraditional jobs was unavailable. More counseling about nontraditional careers was recommended. (The instrument is appended.) (YLB)