Perceptions of female faculty members at public, regional institutions in Missouri concerning bias against caregiving
Abstract
[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] This study explored the extent to which female faculty members at five public, regional universities in Missouri perceived a bias against caregiving, how they responded to it, and how departments and institutions can assist in alleviating that bias. The six research questions focused on whether female faculty members engaged in bias avoidance, bias acceptance, and bias resistance behaviors. The researcher determined supports of female faculty members, barriers faced, and strategies used in order to achieve personal and professional success. There appears to be no evidence of any widespread utilization of bias avoidance, bias acceptance, and bias resistance behaviors among the 106 female faculty members who responded to the survey. Barriers cited by female faculty were, Being Female, Children, University Policies, Hostile Environment, Time, Husbands/Partners, and None. Strategies included Time Management, Child Care, Husbands/Partners, Working Odd Hours, Sacrificing Sleep/Health, and Sacrificing Professionally. Supports included Accommodating Chairpersons, Husbands/Partners, Family Assistance, Fellow Faculty Members, Child Care, Faith-Related Beliefs. Implications for the study include encouraging faculty members to engage in bias resistance behaviors, persuading institutions to formalize leave policies for faculty members, and advocating for child care centers with extended hours on college campuses
Degree
Ph. D.
Thesis Department
Rights
Access is limited to the campuses of the University of Missouri.
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