Women's Career and Professional Development: Experiences and challenges

Women academics and research productivity: an international comparison

“…Previous research has attempted to explain this difference by placing a focus on family-related variables, particularly marriage and children (Sax et al 2002). Family is seen as having a significant influence on academic women's career development, creating constraints and demands as they struggle and sacrifice more than men with respect to parenting and housework and negotiate the contradictory discourse of successful academic and good mother (Bhalalusesa 1998;Raddon 2010;Beddoes and Pawley 2013). It is a sacrifice which, research has indicated, leads to less investment in research, thereby impacting on research productivity (Bailyn 2003;Jons 2011;Beddoes and Pawley 2013).…”

Motivational Factors and Gender Differences in the Successful Completion of Music Education Doctoral Programs: A Pilot Study

“…subject field) and its associated experiences" (Acker, 1977, p. 286) were probable variables in determining the motivation of students, both male and female. Bhalalusesa (1998), whose case study interviewed six women from countries outside the United States pursuing a PhD outside their home country, affirms the idea that women in other countries and cultures must also break free from cultural belief systems regarding familial roles and responsibilities in order to pursue the PhD path. Interestingly, some of the fathers (as opposed to the mothers), of the participants in this small case study, were the primary ones vying for their daughters and supporting them to aspire in academic success, often beyond their personal achievement (Bhalalusesa, 1998).…”

“…Bhalalusesa (1998), whose case study interviewed six women from countries outside the United States pursuing a PhD outside their home country, affirms the idea that women in other countries and cultures must also break free from cultural belief systems regarding familial roles and responsibilities in order to pursue the PhD path. Interestingly, some of the fathers (as opposed to the mothers), of the participants in this small case study, were the primary ones vying for their daughters and supporting them to aspire in academic success, often beyond their personal achievement (Bhalalusesa, 1998). In fact, the women in this study consciously promoted a different kind of role model to their daughters than their mothers had exhibited to them (Bhalalusesa, 1998), soundly affirming the role that mothers play in shaping their daughter's view of careers for women, themselves included.…”

“…Interestingly, some of the fathers (as opposed to the mothers), of the participants in this small case study, were the primary ones vying for their daughters and supporting them to aspire in academic success, often beyond their personal achievement (Bhalalusesa, 1998). In fact, the women in this study consciously promoted a different kind of role model to their daughters than their mothers had exhibited to them (Bhalalusesa, 1998), soundly affirming the role that mothers play in shaping their daughter's view of careers for women, themselves included. Pajares and Valiante (2001) report that differences in motivational beliefs are related more to a cultural belief system that genders assume rather than actual differences existing between them.…”

“…In a study conducted by Ostrove, Stewart, & Curtin (2011), social class, not gender, was the primary determinant for students' experiences in graduate school and future career ambition, a feeling of belonging, and outcomes for their academic perceptions of self and career aspirations. Bhalalusesa (1998) also concedes this point in her recognition that fathers promoting higher education for their daughters are ones from a higher socio-economic and educational status and view the education of their children as one of responsibility, irrespective of gender. Bhalalusesa (1998) suggests that though the determination to commit to higher education studies may be connected to advancing in their careers, that is not the case with all, as motivational reasons may vary according to life stage, especially in connection with pursuing doctoral work.…”