Winning a voice in educational administration : study of women working in middle management : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Educational Administration
Loading...
Date
1989
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
Rights
The Author
Abstract
This study examines a group of women working in educational middle management in
both primary and secondary schools in a provincial area of New Zealand. The focus is
the inequalities of power in gender relations within the women's home and school
situations. It examines the ways these relations contribute to theories explaining the
persisting low status of women in educational management. The theoretical
framework draws on critical theory and cultural studies, along with feminist critiques
of androcentric administration theories and practices. These critiques call for a
reconstruction of theories of leadership to take account of women's perspectives and
values.
A questionnaire survey was used to document the teaching service of 30 women who
took part in a 'self-help' management training strategy. Alongside the career constraint
of time out of full-time service for child rearing, the women identified discriminatory
attitudes and practices that relate to perceptions that women should have primary
responsibility for caring and nurturing within both their home and paid work
situations. These attitudes are woven into the structures, policies and practices of
educational institutions in ways that can limit the opportunities of all women teachers.
Six of these women participated in case study interviews which investigated the sexual
division of labour at work and in the home. As a consequence of the sexual division
of labour and a hegemonic linking between 'masculinity' and authority, they were
involved in struggles to 'win' their authority and establish the right to lead as
educational administrators. The study also investigated the place of anger in the
women's development of a sense of autonomy. It concludes that the caring and
nurturing responsibilities of women in the home reinforced an affiliative style of
educational management in the workplace, which emphasised shared decision making
and equal power relations.
Description
Keywords
Women in educational administration, Educational administration, Educational management, Middle management, Educational administrators