Gender-related Issues Research Articles

The gendered workplaces of women garment workers in Istanbul

Drawing on 20 semi-structured interviews with women garment workers in a low-income neighbourhood of Istanbul, and observations in the ateliers where they worked, this article examines their work experiences in the gendered and sexualised work atmosphere of garment workshops. There are three interrelated levels upon which the gender-related issues emerge in women garment workers’ stories. The first set of discourses portrays young female garment workers in highly sexualised terms, and the second concerns the use of kinship vocabulary and avoidance of impersonal work relationships. That is, women workers’ experiences in capitalist production sites were trivialised and regulated through the sexualisation of their bodies and the deployment of kinship idioms while addressing their role at the workplace. The third level analyses women’s submissive, subversive or contradictory responses to these gendered disciplinary techniques and representations, i.e. the construction of their subjectivities. These three levels point to two things: first, cultural presumptions about marriage, women’s sexuality and reproductive cycles are materialised at the workplace. Second, gendered instantiations of these presumptions in a specific work environment are both informed by their familial roles (such as daughter, wife, mother, widowed) and inform their future reproductive preferences (whether they marry, have a child, get a divorce, etc.). This article shows how the ways in which women’s difference is construed and acted upon in the garment industry are inseparable from women’s reproductive decisions.

Perceptions of gender equality, work environment, support and social issues for women doctors at a university hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is an Islamic monarchy and was established in 1932. Saudi women first entered the medical field in 1975 and the country has since seen a steady increase in women pursuing medicine. However, there is limited data on gender related issues for women doctors practicing in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, our study objective was to assess the perception amongst peers regarding gender equality and social issues faced by women doctors in Saudi Arabia. An online anonymous cross-sectional survey was administered in English to doctors at King Khalid Hospital, affiliated to King Saud University, in Riyadh, between April and May of 2016. Of 1015 doctors, 304 (30%) participated, of which 129 (42.4%) were females and 231 (76%) were Saudi nationals. The average age was 32.4 years (±SD: 8.7). The majority opined that there was no gender discrimination in salaries (73.7% p-value = 0.4), hospital benefits (62.2% p-value = 0.06) or entry into any field of Medicine/Pediatrics (68.4% p-value = 0.207). However, only a minority believed that there was no gender discrimination for entry into surgery (37.3% p-value = .091). A higher proportion of male doctors agreed that promotion opportunities are equal (66.3% vs 45.7%, p-value = 0.002). However, of 54 consultants, only 18 (33.3%) were women. Over half of the women (52.3%) reported that they never wear the face veil. Only a minority of male and female doctors (12.2%) believed women doctors should wear the veil since they examine male patients. Fewer respondents believed that female doctors face harassment from male doctors (14.5%) whereas 30.7% believed female doctors face harassment from male patients. More females, than males, agreed with the statement that female doctors are as committed to their careers as are males (92.2% vs 67.4%, p-value<0.0001). Of 304 participants, 210 (69.1%) said that they would still choose to become a doctor with approximately equal proportions between males and females (68% vs 70.5%, p-value = 0.79). In conclusion, our survey of male and female doctors at a government university hospital in Saudi Arabia revealed that the majority believed there was gender equality amongst doctors in terms of salaries, benefits, opportunities for promotion and entry into any field of medicine or pediatrics, but not surgery. However, there were significantly fewer women at consultant positions, a deficiency that needs to be addressed.

Gender Construction And Media Narratives: Representations Of Gender In Animated Movies

Media, as an important and powerful social institution, contributes in the construction and reinforcement of perceptions and beliefs about gender. The media images of gender have been found stereotypical and discriminated while there have been many debates on the under representation and biased treatment of gender related issues. This research study particularly analyzed how media narratives play a part in the construction of gender identities in animated movies. The study focused to investigate how femininity and masculinity have been build up in movies, which sort of roles have been assigned to both genders and which identities have been emphasized in the animated movies of Time Warner and Walt Disney during the time period of 2008 to 2013. Gender schema and social learning theories gave implications to the research findings. Both quantitative and qualitative content analysis of fourteen animated movies was conducted. The study concluded that there is stereotypical representations of gender in movies. The women are under-represented and usually negatively portrayed while the men have shown with more societal powers.

Gender, Health and Change in South Africa

This article addresses the question of how to "think about" and to "do" gender change in the context of HIV and public health interventions in South Africa. The issue of gender has been closely intertwined with the HIV epidemic in Southern Africa since the beginning of the epidemic. The need for more gender equitable practices and relationships has been a central theme of the response to the crisis. While much of this work has focused on efforts to reduce the uneven impact of HIV has on women and girls, there have also been important interventions with men and boys around gender and HIV. This article synthesizes findings from research projects with three such interventions. The findings presented here are drawn from three separate research projects conducted in South Africa in the last 10 years. The first was an ethnographic research project with the Khululeka Men's Support Group in Cape Town. The second was an independent program evaluation of the "One Man Can" campaign that was commissionned by Sonke Gender Justice, a gender transformation NGO in South Africa. The third project was a qualitative process evaluation of a trial that used male lay health workers to provide support and care to pregnant and postpartum women who were enrolled in a PMTCT program. Gender and gender change were understood and promoted in contrasting ways across the three case studies. In the case of Khululeka, HIV-positive men were encouraged to become "better men" within the context of existing gender norms by doing things that would protect their health and allow them to achieve socially valued roles as strong family leaders and financial providers. They began with a conventional HIV support group model but adapted it to better suit local gender norms around masculinity. In Sonke's One Man Can (OMC) campaign, the focus was on the ways men and women could address the underlying gender inequities in their families and communities. Participants were encouraged to raise their awareness and critical understandding of gender-related rights issues and mobilize for progressive gender change. Sonke staff struggled, however, to find ways of sustaining the changes they witnessed in OMC workshops and an ideological tension persisted between "culture talk" and "rights talk" about gender. Finally, in the PMTCT program, men were recruited to serve as lay counselors for HIV-positive pregnant women. By carefully training and supporting men in the daily practice of providing care for these women, male counselors developed trusting relationships, offered effective services, and in general, undertook a form of gender-transformed practice that exceeded much of what was observed in the other two case studies. There are many potential paths to gender transformation, and the HIV epidemic in Southern Africa has operated as a powerful catalyst for exploring and pursuing some of these paths. In the process, however, a number of political and conceptual limitations of gender transformation work emerged. There is a need to find ways of thinking about and acting on gender that isn't over-determined by the logics of public health and biomedicine. There is also a need to complement ideological arguments for "gender transformation" with more embodied opportunities for transformed gendered practice.

Present perception on gender related issues in tribal mothers of sub-urban region, West Bengal

Background: In India, tribal communities and women remain marginalized and continue to suffer discrimination. The right to achieve gender justice is a cumbersome task. The perception on gender issues varies person to person.Aims and Objectives: This study is designed to find out the perception on the gender related issues, presence of gender bias and the associated factors among the reproductive tribal mothers.Materials and Methods: Research was carried in a tribal community under the service jurisdiction of the community medicine department. A cross sectional survey using pre designed proforma was used in reproductive age group mothers. Information on various aspects was collected by direct interview with mothers. Data was analysed with licensed statistical software. Mean, standard deviation, proportion, chi square value and P value was determined as per objectives.Results: A total of 110 mothers participated. The mean age was 28.18 years. Majority of mothers were between 26-36 years. Rate of illiteracy was 19.1%. Two child norms were practiced by most of the families (91). Thirty two mothers reported abortion. Self-desire was the main reason. One in every three practiced contraception. Gender bias towards boy child was reflected by responses on the desire for future child, giving playtime, mixing with others, sharing household work, providing pocket money, sharing of and allowing night job. Pre natal sex determination was still preferred by one third mothers. One breather was that majority (84.7%) were consulted in family matters. Age group, occupation and abortion history showed association with gender preference.Conclusion: Present study showed prevailing gender discrimination in modern India. Enactment of laws through stringent monitoring and government’s positive attitude may make the situation favourable.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(5) 2017 48-53

Gender related issues

Cinsiyet büyük oranda doğumda belirlenirken; toplumsal cinsiyet, toplumsal açıdan belirlenmiş görev ve sorumlulukların dağılımı ile nitelendirilen bir cinsiyet yorumlamasına atıfta bulunmaktadır. Toplum tarafından oluşturulan cinsiyet kalıpları, kadın ve erkekleri basitçe birbirinden farklılaştırmakla kalmayıp, sosyal kaynaklara erişimi, fırsatların kullanımını, sorumlulukların ve kaynakların dağılımını da önemli ölçüde etkilemektedir. Kadınlar yaşamlarının farklı dönemlerinde cinsiyet eşitsizliklerinden kaynaklanan farklı risklerle karşı karşıya kalmaktadır. Cinsiyet eşitliği ulusal ve uluslararası düzenlemelerle güvence altına alınmış olmasına karşın dünyada toplumsal cinsiyet eşitliğinin tam olarak sağlanabildiği hiç bir ülke yoktur. Bununla birlikte bu eşitsizlik bazı bölgelerde daha belirgindir. Toplumsal cinsiyet eşitsizliği, Türkiye’nin de önemli sorunlarından biridir. Toplumsal cinsiyet eşitsizliği her geçen gün büyümektedir ve bu gerileme birçok açıdan kadınların günlük yaşamlarını önemli bir biçimde etkilemektedir. Bu çalışmada cinsiyet eşitsizliğinin kadınların yaşamı üzerindeki etkileri, toplumsal cinsiyet eşitliğine dayalı politika uygulayan ve uygulamayan ülkeler karşılaştırılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Cinsiyet eşitliği ve ülkelerdeki ilgili temel göstergeler incelenmiş ve özgün tablolar oluşturulmuştur.

Gender related issues in thrombosis and hemostasis

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Many aspects of hemostasis, both primary and secondary, as well as fibrinolysis display sex differences. From a clinical viewpoint, certain differential phenotypic presentations clearly arise within various disorders of thrombosis and hemostasis.Areas covered: The present mini-review summarizes selected clinical entities where sex differences are reflected in both frequency and clinical presentation of hemostasis disorders. Sex differences are discussed within the settings of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease and ischemic stroke, venous thromboembolism and inherited bleeding disorders. Moreover, pregnancy and labor present particular challenges in terms of increased thromboembolic and bleeding risk, and this is also summarized.Expert commentary: Available knowledge on sex differences in risk factors and clinical presentation of disorders within thrombosis and hemostasis is increasing. However, more evidence is needed to further clarify different risk factors and treatment effect in men and women, both as regards to cardiovascular disease and venous thromboembolism. This should facilitate improved gender guided risk stratification, and prevention and treatment of these diseases. Finally, risk assessment during pregnancy remains a challenge; this applies both to thromboembolic risk assessment during normal pregnancy and special care of women with inherited bleeding disorders during labor.

POLIGAMI RAMAH PEREMPUAN; CATATAN KRITIS ATAS POLIGAMI KUANTITATIF- KUALITATIF PERSPEKTIF MUHAMMAD SYAHRÛR

Polygamy has become a controversial topic in the discoursesof gender relations, including in Islam. It is therefore always attractive toscholars and experts to discuss this topic. Muslims thinkers have attemptedto re-interpret polygamy either to reject it, fasten its procedure or to allowit under certain conditions. One leading contemporary Muslim scholar whois concerned with the issues of gender relations and polygamy under Islamis Muhammad Shahrur. This article examines Shahrur’s view on polygamy.Based on his several works as the main data, this study analyzes his approachto polygamy and criticizes it. He is well-known for the theory of limit. Heemploys a qualitative-quantitative concept to formulate an understandingof polygamy which is just for women, as this is often neglected under thestipulation of normative Islamic law. However, as a system of thought,Syahrur’s idea on polygamy opens up criticism despite its novelty idea that isless severe to women since he limits polygamy. Dalam relasi gender, poligami menjadi isu yang sensitif tetapi seksiuntuk dikaji. Sejumlah pemikir Islam ikut terlibat dalam upaya menempatkanpoligami yang ramah perempuan. Muhamaad Syahrur sebagai salah satu daripara pemikir Islam tersebut melibatkan diri dalam kajian poligami. Denganmetode limitasi dan pendekatan linguistik, Syahrur memformulasikanpoligami kuantitatif-kualitatif sebagai ikhtiarnya menemukan poligami yangberkeadilan dan ramah perempuan. Sebagai sebuah pemikiran, kesimpulanSyahrur tentang poligami menyisakan celah untuk dikritisi. Kritik dalam tulisanini terutama mengenai konsistensiSyahrurdalam membangun teori poligamikuantitatif- kualitatif.

Appeasing Women Faculty: A Case Study in Gender Politics

Consistent with decades of research, the present study suggests that careersatisfaction of many academic women can be affected significantly by theirexperience and/or perception of the way in which their university deals with anumber of specific gender-related issues.

Compromising gender identities

PurposeGiven the limited research on women in information technology (IT) sectors in emerging economies and the importance of understanding their experiences working in highly gendered IT firms, the purpose of this paper is to examine the specific gendered strategies used by women engineers to stay in gender-atypical IT firms in Sri Lanka using job embeddedness as a theoretical lens.Design/methodology/approachData collection was done through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions on a sample of 14 women engineers employed in five leading IT firms in Sri Lanka.FindingsRespondents perceived the work role expectations in the Sri Lankan IT industry as masculine. Respondents compromised their own gender identities to engage in four distinct strategies to link and fit with the prevailing work role expectations. “Using a hybrid style” and “being passive and neutral” were respondents’ link strategies, while “adopting masculine traits” and “demonstrating self-confidence” related to their fit strategies.Research limitations/implicationsMen and women who aspire to enter the IT sector need to be pre-prepared and educated about the characteristics of IT cultures and prevailing gender norms along with the subject knowledge. Managers of IT firms need to create positive work environments for their women employees that aid them to fit and link with their workplaces.Originality/valueThe study provides a deeper understanding of how women manage gender-related issues within gender-atypical IT firms in Sri Lanka and stay in their employment.

Gender Differences in Peer Support in Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management Across the Globe

Objective: The effectiveness of peer support programs as a means to sustain self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes has been well documented. However, little is known of how gender differences in peer support might influence the provision and receipt of support. This study used the key functions of peer support as a framework to explore gender differences in peer support programs and identified gender-related issues and global cultural contexts that influence peer support. Methods: Qualitative data were generated through telephone interviews and written responses using open-ended questions to nine programs across the globe: Africa (Cameroon and Uganda), Asia (Cambodia, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam), and the United States (Alabama, California, and Illinois). Qualitative content analysis was done to achieve in-depth exploration of categories. Data were analyzed using INVIVO 10 software. Results: Five themes emerged: 1) Differences in emotional support: female peer supporters reportedly displayed more emotional support than any other form of support; 2) Differences in instrumental support: male peer supporters gave information as their primary form of support; 3) Who is a peer supporter: males dominated as peer supporters in two Asian countries (Cambodia and Hong Kong) and females dominated in African American and Latino peer support programs in the US; 4) Matching by gender: male peer supporters were assigned only male recipients, but female peer supporters could be assigned to either sex; 5) Gender differences in participant availability: there was considerable variety in how gender was manifest in programs and both peer supporters’ and participants’ responses to them. Conclusion: This study provided evidence that substantial gender differences and gender-related issues were present in all the peer support programs and that the manifestation of differences varied considerably across settings and cultures. Gender differences have to be taken into consideration when planning peer support programs.

An Analysis of Glass Ceiling Perceptions in the Accounting Profession

Access to a deep pool of talent is essential to the success of every professional services firm. The supply of that talent is contingent upon the available rewards for the exercise of that talent, and both the existence of the potential rewards and the beliefs that individuals hold about the existence of the rewards affect the decision to remain in the field. One structural factor that may affect the judgment about whether to remain in a profession concerns promotions based on the gender of the employee (i.e., the “glass ceiling”). In this study, we examine the “glass ceiling” within the context of the accounting profession. While advances have been made within the accounting profession to address the glass ceiling, the continued existence—and perceptions about the continued existence—of the issue exert adverse effects upon the available talent pool and may create long-term problems for the profession. In this study, we investigate glass ceiling perceptions among a large sample of female accounting professionals employed in accounting; the sample includes both public accountants, and those employed in industry accounting. Our study yields the finding of beliefs in bias-driven effects (e.g., a bias against female promotions to the top level), structural effects (e.g., a lack of mentoring opportunities, networking opportunities, and high-profile job assignments), and cultural effects (e.g., a lack of social support from the male leaders within the organization) among these accounting professionals. Glass ceiling perceptions are also influenced by several demographic factors. Furthermore, accounting professionals employed by industry are more likely to report a glass ceiling within their firms than accounting professionals employed by public accounting firms. The findings are of interest to researchers who explore gender-related issues in professional service firms such as the field of accounting, and to senior members of practice who are tasked with ensuring the integrity and quality of the talent pool and the equitable distribution of rewards to employees.

The effectiveness of transformational leadership on empowerment

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of gender on the effectiveness of transformational leadership. Drawing on role congruity theory, it elucidates the moderating effects of leader gender, subordinate gender, and leader-subordinate gender dyad on the relationship between transformational leadership and psychological empowerment.Design/methodology/approachEmployees of companies in Korea responded to a paper-pencil survey, rating their psychological empowerment and leadership behaviors of their direct leader on a five-point Likert-type scale. The analysis includes 339 responses.FindingsThe results indicate that a leader’s gender has no significant moderating effect on psychological empowerment, but the gender of the subordinate has a significant moderating effect, with male subordinates more strongly influenced by transformational leadership than female subordinates. Notably, the findings show that the effectiveness of transformational leadership is contingent on the leader-subordinate gender dyad. Specifically, transformational leadership has as significant an effect on female leader-male subordinate dyads as on male leader-male subordinate dyads.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to leadership and gender studies in the management field by investigating the effect of gender roles on the effectiveness of transformational leadership. Future research should extend this study and explore whether these findings are generalizable.Practical implicationsThe remarkable finding of the effect of female leadership on employee empowerment suggests organizations should use more female leaders.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study to shed light on gender issues in relation to transformational leadership in Korea.

Feminism and the politics of identity in Ingrid de Kok’s Familiar Ground

Through an analysis of selected representative poems from Ingrid de Kok’s Familiar Ground, this article examines the role played by feminist poetry in the quest to address gender-related issues as well as to contribute constructively to South Africa’s liberation from patriarchal apartheid. The article further argues that feminist writers desire to (re)negotiate the space within which they can (re)construct and articulate their identities as women and mothers, and that in such a context the politics of identity cannot be detached from other aspects within the struggle for socio-political and economic emancipation. Thus characteristics of apartheid oppression are contrasted with the patriarchal domination opposed by feminist writers.

Gender's Effects to the Early Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease in 5 Asian Countries.

Asia has the greatest population and more patients with dementia in the world. Early recognition of clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is crucial for dementia care. In order to foster collaboration in AD care, a uniformed manner to report the early clinical symptoms of AD is necessary. We have recruited clinically diagnosed patients with AD at their very mild stage with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) 0.5 in Taiwan, Japan, China, Philippines, and Singapore. Demographic characteristics and psychometrics including Ascertain of Dementia-8 (AD8) questionnaire were administrated to collect and report the clinical presentation in these countries. In total, 713 clinically diagnosed patients with AD at very mild stage, CDR 0.5, have been recruited from these 5 countries. "Repeats questions, stories, or statements" were consistently the frequently reported symptom across these countries. Taiwan, China, and Singapore have the higher AD8 total score compared to that in Japan and Philippines. Japan and Philippines have the gender-related differences in clinical presentation of early AD. Difficulties in using small trouble appliance and in handling complicated financial affairs were frequently reported in Japan female, compared to male, patients with AD. Identifying the clinical symptom of AD and the gender-related issues would be crucial in the dementia care in Asia.

Gender and Urban Aspirations: The Case of Highly Educated Uyghur Women in Shanghai

AbstractIn spite of the growing attention given to minority Uyghurs in China, there has been little focus on gender issues in relation to the Uyghur migration to inland cities since the 1980s. Based on fifteen months of ethnographic research from 2012 to 2013, this article focuses on the lifeworlds of highly educated Uyghur women and their aspirations in the megacity of Shanghai. A combination of local gender norms, patriarchal Islamic ideologies, and state policies that aim to promote the emancipation of women have influenced the current status, conditions, and gendered identities of Uyghur women. Added to these are the shifting demands of an environment marked by rapid socioeconomic change in urban China that sees Uyghur women on the move. Tracing the migration story of Uyghur women through a case study of Xumar, a woman who pursued university education and then worked in Shanghai, I demonstrate the dilemma of staying or returning with which they constantly wrestle as they attempt to balance the normative Uyghur cultural values and their experiences of urbanism and cosmopolitanism in Shanghai. These factors all inform their understandings of what it means to be a Uyghur woman. Looking at the shifting ideas of gender among highly educated Uyghur women, this research contributes to understanding changes of Uyghur identity in relation to migration on the one hand, and reflects the ambivalence and complexity of Uyghur migration experiences on the other. Personal narratives of migrant Uyghur women shed light on the subtleties of the gender roles, arguments for and against returning home, and their later resignation to (arranged) marriages. The migration experiences gained by the women offer them a better understanding of themselves and of the demands and expectations of their cultural heritage. The urban aspirations of highly educated Uyghur women, this article argues, are produced by structural, cultural, and social factors that rely on dominant discourses of migration, minority, gender, age, class, and place.

A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF CLASSROOM DYNAMICS ON STUDENTS' SOCIAL INTERACTION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA

The purpose of the study was a critical analysis of the impact of classroom dynamics on students’ social interaction in secondary schools in Kenya. Most of the Kenyan secondary schools are faced with the challenge of overcrowding in the classrooms thus unsuited to providing a positive classroom atmosphere hence limited leaner-teacher contact. The critical analysis was to establish and address issues and strategies that must be implemented to create a positive classroom atmosphere where learners feel comfortable to learn and communicate with each other and the teacher. The main purpose of the study was to critically analyze the gender related issues, leaner’s personality related issues and the impact they have on classroom dynamics and establish the impact of learners discipline on classroom dynamics. Moreover the study generate the importance of learners participation in the classroom set up and also the role of the teacher in motivating learners who are not naturally motivated. The study adopted a qualitative research design that was valid in studying critical analysis. The study established key recommendations to the school management to ensure that classrooms have adequate space to accommodate all the students comfortably and allow the teacher to move freely and easily connect with the learners. It also recommends provision of in-service training for teachers on how to handle large classes with learners of mixed ability, varying ages and genders, teachers should provide teaching approaches that sustain learner’s interest and ensure participation of students in class and finally teachers should provide a friendly learning environment that engages all the learners irrespective of their gender and personality abilities as it enhances a good classroom dynamic and social interaction among learners. Article visualizations:

A case study on the incorporation of gender-awareness into the university journalism curriculum in Spain

ABSTRACTAs in other disciplines, ‘gender mainstreaming’ is becoming an increasingly important principle in Journalism. This implies bringing gender equality into the mainstream of the media industry, by means of an adjustment of the educational issues and the practice related to this profession, which is influential in society. In light of the gap existing in this line of research committed to re-education for change [North, L. 2010. “The Gender Problem in Australian Journalism Education.” Australian Journalism Review 32 (2): 103–115; Adhikary, N. M., and L. D. Pant 2011. “Journalism Education in Nepal: Gender Perspective.” Shweta Shardul 8: 119–123], this paper analyses the curricular integration of gender-related issues into journalism studies, taking as a casestudy the undergraduate programmes of the Spanish public and private universities. The study employs content analysis and qualitative questionnaires to the academic staff. The results prevent from understanding equality as one of the main teaching and learning strategies in journalism studies in Spain, even if the invigorating curriculum reform carried out by these universities leads to posit some positive outcome in terms of a more gender-aware higher education. As discussed in the conclusions, the inclusion of the gender perspective depends on the academic staff’s own initiative, in contrast with the involvement showed by university institutions in promoting parity in many other aspects.

Creating sacred space in pluralistic therapy

This paper explores the possibilities for creating sacred spaces in pluralistic therapy. It examines how the counsellor can achieve client transformation using shamanic methodologies within a flexible Collaborative Pluralistic framework of counselling and psychotherapy. It addresses gender issues in relation to therapy and spirituality, by examining feminist forms of therapy and female constructs of spirituality. The results of practitioner research undertaken in the UK by a pluralistic counsellor and psychotherapist are presented, exploring relationships between shamanic methodology and the Psychological Spiritual paradigm in therapy. The paper explores how spiritual experiences may be constructed through a qualitative inquiry involving fieldwork and interviewing. It concludes that Collaborative Pluralism’s emphasis on providing a humanistic and collaborative experience of therapy allows clients a constructivist experience of counselling and psychotherapy. This epistemological position offers possibilities for creating sacred space in therapy, by supporting a broad interpretation of female constructs of spirituality.

Head Teachers, Women and Hesitation to Discuss Gender Issues

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a group of Swedish head teachers approaches the importance of gender issues in terms of their work. The empirical material is from so-called “research circles”, which were part of a gender equality project conducted in southern Sweden. A research circle is similar to a focus group interview. The group, which consists of eight women who were head teachers within compulsory education, met on six occasions. The results show that the women initially expressed strong hesitation about whether discussing gender issues in relation to the role of head teacher was beneficial at all. The entire gender equality project was called into question by the suggestion that the connection between head teacher and gender implied a weakening of women. However, examples of gender playing a role within educational settings were increasingly noted. By highlighting female head teachers’ ambivalence towards discussing issues related to gender and gender equality, this paper contributes to the discussion about why these issues do not occupy a stronger position within schools. Also, the female head teachers’ hesitation and ambivalence are connected to the decline in status of the head teacher profession due to the restructuring of education, for which women in educational leadership in Sweden have been blamed.