Date of Award:

5-2012

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department:

School of Teacher Education and Leadership

Committee Chair(s)

Scott L. Hunsaker

Committee

Scott L. Hunsaker

Committee

Martha Dever

Committee

Rebecca Monhardt

Committee

Kimberly Lott

Committee

Robert Schmidt

Abstract

This study was done to determine how the perception of gender roles developed throughout childhood and early adulthood affected the career decisions of women who showed early promise in science. In addition, this study was done to determine if my experiences as a researcher would have any impact on me personally. Four women were chosen as case study participants, providing for comparison within and across cases.

Gender roles were found to relate to the career decisions made by the four cases in three ways: (a) support from family members, teachers, mentors, and collaborators; (b) opportunities within the family, school and community, and postsecondary venues; and (c) by respecting the diversity among the four women in this study which allowed for their voices and life experiences to be shared. The women’s social class, experiences in life that were tied to their opportunities and supports, and the culture of growing up in a small rural community helped them develop identities for the professions they chose. This was true even where those professions did not necessarily follow from the early promise shown for a science related career. In addition, as a male conducting research in a subject area most often studied by women, I was able to gain greater empathy and understanding of what it takes for women to be successful in a career and at the same time maintain a fruitful family life.

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Comments

This work made publicly available electronically on December 21, 2012.

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