Gender, marital status, and support systems of public school principals

Abstract

Recent literature on leadership emphasizes the importance of support systems for individuals occupying prominent roles. This research examined the support systems of public school principals, comparing male and female and married and unmarried principals. Specifically, who provided support and the amount and type of support provided were examined. Specific characteristics of spouses who provide support were also explored. Drawing on surveys of over 170 principals from one southeastern state, the study found some significant differences and interesting similarities in the type and amount of support provided to male and female and married and unmarried principals. The findings differed from some of the literature on female principals in terms of the areas of similarity between males and females. Other findings generally supported the literature on support systems.