Jewish and Arab academic graduates in Israel: Ethnicity, education and work values

The work values of Arabs in general, and of Arab academic graduates specifically, have not yet been studied in Israel. This preliminary research compares the importance of work and other areas of life, as well as preferred work goals, among 285 Jewish and 87 Arab academic graduates. Findings revealed significant differences in all areas of life (family, leisure, community and religion) and in six of the eleven work goals. The most interesting finding is that while among Jewish academic graduates, family is ranked first, followed by work and leisure, among Arab academic graduates, work is ranked first, followed by family and leisure. The findings can be attributed to cultural differences, ethnic conflict, as well as to the employment opportunities given to academic Jews and Arabs.