Comparative Study of the Influence of Demographic and Socio-economic Characteristics of Men and Women Leaders on their Leadership Styles and Patterns in the Rural Areas of Nigeria

Abstract

The study compared the influence of the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of men and women leaders on their leadership styles and patterns in the rural community organizations. Ninety-six respondents (48 men leaders and 48 women leaders) were randomly selected and interviewed in 12 villages in Ife Central and Ife East Local Government Areas using a structured interview schedule. The findings revealed that both men and women leaders achieved their position through election. The average age range was 40–49 years for both men and women leaders. All but one male leader was married while a small percentage of men leaders were widowers. More men leaders were educated than uneducated while women's organizations recorded as many educated women leaders as uneducated leaders. Frequency of criticism was significantly related to age (r = 0.004), and level of education (r = 0.009) of women leaders, while there was a significant but negative correlation between level of education of women leaders and exten...