Researchers hold numerous perceptions of the educational aspirations and future career choices of teenage girls. Studies argue that factors such as the curriculum, teachers' and parents' attitudes, the impact of HIV/AIDS, and teenage pregnancy, influence girls' future educational and occupational hopes and dreams either positively or negatively. Other researchers claim that learners' career choice is limited by their potential and school performance. The existing literature also suggests that girls have lower self-esteem and levels of achievement than boys. This research seeks to gain insight into high school girls' perceived academic and vocational prospects. The research was carried out in an interpretive paradigm. Six secondary school female learners from one school participated in the study. Semistructured interviews were the core method of data collection, supplemented by questionnaires and a focus group interview. As teenagers, the girls were expected to already have started to think about their future hopes and dreams. The findings revealed that all the girls seemed to experience school as a place where they could acquire knowledge about what they needed to make them autonomous and successful in adult life. For them, their parents remained their major significant others. They regarded fear of poverty as a major factor motivating them to achieve their educational and vocational aspirations. Peer pressure appeared not to be a major determinant of these girls' successes in school. The girls believed that there is a relationship between their academic performance and their future vocational choice. In addition, the girls did not see boys as a threat to their climbing the ladder of success.

Despite a growing body of literature on women in leadership, few studies have empirically investigated the leadership and management experiences of female academic heads of department. It is against this background that this study investigated the experiences of these women in universities in South Africa and the United Kingdom. The position of women in higher education in these countries, together with the status of their representation in senior positions in the academe and obstacles to their advancement into such positions was reviewed. The study was carried out within the framework of a cross-sectional survey research design employing both quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (interview) data collection methods. The study consisted of thirty two female participants who were either currently or previously heads of academic departments in universities. For the interview a separate group of nine female academic heads of department, from the same universities as the participants in the survey, were selected. Purposeful sampling was used to select all the participants. A structured, pre-coded questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from one group of twenty three female participants with a minimum of two years' experience in the position. A video conference focus group interview was used to obtain in-depth (qualitative) information on a number of selected issues. The quantitative data was analysed using a relevant statistical package. Key-findings from both survey and interviews were then co-ordinated. The major findings indicated that, apart from lack of mentorship and formal preparation for the position, the women did not experience any major obstacles prior to becoming head of department. The women were confident about several skills related to managing an academic department. They were not certain, however, about stress management, delegation and entrepreneurial skills. Leadership style tended toward 'interactive leadership' which is considered appropriate for today's leadership in organisations. The findings suggested that institutional and other barriers to women's advancement still exist, and that the challenges and demands women experience may be a source of stress and tension for them. Recommendations, using these findings, were made for aspiring women managers, for institutions, for policy makers and for future research. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Orientador: Neusa Maria Mendes de Gusmão / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T17:32:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nascimento_DivaCarneirodo_M.pdf: 1435520 bytes, checksum: da2357817d46ae8bfd928dbe2382c431 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo : Este trabalho teve como objetivo perceber nas atribuições de sentido elaboradas por meninas negras e pobres moradoras do bairro de Pontezinha na Região Metropolitana do Recife, como os saberes do cotidiano se apresentam e de que forma interferem nas escolhas individuais que os sujeitos desta pesquisa fazem, como estabelecem relações entre os saberes do bairro onde moram e a escola publica estadual que freqüentam. Entre outras esta pesquisa indagou acerca de quanto os saberes da escola operam no cotidiano do bairro e vice-versa e em que medida os saberes desse cotidiano penetram no espaço escolar e modificam o processo educativo. A hipótese que orientou esta pesquisa foi em busca de confirmar que tais saberes presentes nos sujeitos são manejados de diversas formas dependendo dos contextos e contingências Nessa perspectiva a categoria raça problematizou tal discussão sobre cotidiano vivido pelas meninas que constroem suas experiências dentro de uma realidade de pobreza. Por tal problemática foi necessário investigar os ideais racistas presentes no cotidiano do bairro, que apesar de pobre e de maioria negra, não foge a regra mais geral da sociedade brasileira. O cotidiano das meninas foi objetivado a partir das concepções de táticas elaborado por Michel de Certeau, assim foi possível discutir que esse cotidiano que as meninas vivenciam quer individualmente quer coletivamente ora no bairro, ora no espaço escolar é feito de mediações, porque frente às contingências que lhes são colocadas elas reinventam concepções de si próprias e do lugar onde vivem e desse modo ordenam as relações de convivências com o bairro, com a escola e com os outros sujeitos, possibilitando possíveis diálogos entre os significados de uma narrativa do saber constituído (escolar) e a narrativa do saber vivido (dia-a-dia). Optou-se nesse trabalho pela pesquisa qualitativa onde foi utilizada a observação e as ¿rodas de conversas¿ tanto para os adultos quanto para as crianças pesquisadas. Contudo em certa medida foi utilizado documentos escritos e alguns dados quantitativos para fundamentar as analises feitas / Abstract : The objective of this dissertation is to observe how, in the construction of meaning by black poor residents of the Pontezinha neighborhood in Recife¿s metropolitan region, everyday information presents itself, as well as in which way this collective knowledge interferes with the individual choices made by the subjects of this research; how they establish a relationship between the information coming from the neighborhood they live in and the public state school they go to. The research analyzes, among other aspects, the level to which the neighborhood general knowledge interferes in the community¿s everyday life, and vice versa, and in what measure everyday knowledge penetrates the school space and modifies the educational process. The hypothesis that guided this research sought to confirm that such informational inputs present in subjects, are managed in diverse ways, depending on context and contingencies. In this perspective, the race issue stirred the discussion about the daily life lived by these girls who build their experiences within a reality of poverty. Because of the relevance of the issue, it was necessary to investigate the racist ideals present in the community¿s everyday dynamics, which, in spite of being mostly composed of black and poor members, does not stray from the average Brazilian community profile. The everyday life of these girls was approached based on the concepts of tactics elaborated by Michel de Certeau. Under this light it was possible to discuss that the routine lived by these girls, individually or collectively, in their neighborhood, or school, is composed of mediations, because, given the contingencies they face, they reinvent conceptions of themselves and of the place where they live, therefore organizing their coexistences with the community, the school and other people. This allows for possible dialogues between the essence of a narrative of the established knowledge (academic) and that of common sense knowledge (everyday). A qualitative research was chosen for this dissertation, using observation and open discussion groups as much with adults as with the children. However, to a certain measure, written documents and some quantitative data were used to fundament the analysis carried out / Mestrado / Educação, Sociedade, Politica e Cultura / Mestre em Educação

D.Phil. (Engineering Management) / Women play a major role in the society as caregivers, communicators and providers. Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) help to co-ordinate some aspects of rural women’s life, and their future rural economy will be information and knowledge-driven one. Rural women’s participation in decision-making and contribution to the male-dominated ICT environment are of growing importance. This research will guide us to rethink how rural women’s use of ICTs can provide them more opportunities and improve their quality of life. In this research we analyze what constitutes rural women empowerment through the use of ICTs, and provide an overview of empowerment indicators. This research will focus on the provisioning of ICT in rural areas in South Africa and women’s inherent abilities to contribute to the socio-economic status of households using ICTs. The aim of this research is to address the gendered digital divide and empower rural women in South Africa through the use of ICT. If rural women are given the opportunity for capacity building, ICT training and development they will be ready to take the ICT leap in the coming years. The research highlights gender-sensitive issues such as feminisms and women’s development through ICTs. The qualities of the empowered women and the elements of rural women empowerment through the use of ICTs are elaborated. The discussions on various data collection methods suited for feminist research and specifically for ICT for women’s development (ICT4WD) research is presented. The theories, paradigms and African belief systems underpinning women empowerment are carefully analyzed. The research reveals ICT projects used to empower women in many developing countries and throws light on shortcomings of the South African legal frameworks that have implications on rural women empowerment. A theoretical framework is developed for rural women empowerment though the use of ICTs. The framework serves as a guiding principle to revisit the SA B-BBEE legal framework and BEE ICT score-card. Some light will be thrown on the plight of rural women in South Africa and various challenges they face to use and access ICT. We believe this research paves the way to critically think about women’s issues and how to empower the disempowered rural women living in South Africa through ICTs. The research focuses on the effective strategies, through the framework that would contribute to empower the disempowered rural women in South Africa through ICTs.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Management Science in Administration and Information Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / The purpose of the study was to explore the empowerment of women leadership, focusing on the Durban University of Technology. Statistics around the world have highlighted that women are under-represented in decision-making positions, with a specific focus on the academic sector; this study aims to review these statistics and establish which barriers prevent females from progressing to leadership positions. The target population was comprised of staff members from the Durban University of Technology and ranged from leadership, management, and lecturing, to entry-level employees. The technique of probability sampling was chosen in this research, with a sample size of 100 participants drawn from the population. Questionnaires were designed with both closed-ended and some open-ended questions, and were personally administered to all campuses of the Durban University of Technology, namely Ritson Campus, Steve Biko Campus, ML Sultan Campus, City Campus, Indumiso Campus and Riverside Campus. This study revealed that, although women are still under-represented in Higher Education, there are efforts being made to bridge this gap. This study found female leaders more productive than male counterparts at the Durban University and are able to run their department smoothly and efficiently. The study also found that there are internal respondents agreed that there are hidden difficulties in their department that women face and prevent them from moving into higher positions. Additionally, the study found that there are programs at the Durban University that empower women into leadership. This study contributes to knowledge of gender-based leadership and female empowerment into leadership positions, in the higher education sector. / M

D.Ed. / The underlying dynamics of Cases A and B have been integrated into a comprehensive description in this chapter. The cross case analysis allowed the researcher to determine the similarities and differences in these two cases. These research findings were then verified against a detailed literature control. The research, as verified by current literature, shows that women who were sexually abused as children all suffer from an Identity Problem. Most literature on the treatment of sexual abuse victims stresses the need to address the women's low selfesteem. Yet, the treatment is geared at her present low self-esteem believed to be a result of the abuse. The research findings agree that sexually abused women have low self-esteem, although their Identity Problem is not a result of the abuse, but an intensification of an already present low self-esteem and Identity Problem. The research findings indicate that their Identity Problems started before the abuse, as early as in the womb. The present Identity Problem renders the young girl more vulnerable to the abuse. The treatment of women who were sexually abused as children should be aimed at reconstructing their Identity's and specifically at treating the root cause of the problem, which is not the abuse itself. Women who were sexually abused as children are prone to feelings of worthlessness and responsibility. Powered by their Identity Problem, a Spiritual Walking Zombie Syndrome develops. Sexually abused women have an overwhelming sense of being responsible for others. And if they cannot keep others happy, which is impossible, they feel like failures and think they are worthless. The feeling of being responsible starts before the sexual violation and the abuse only intensifies these feelings. The research finds that sexual abuse can be a physical, subconscious threat to a person. Subconscious reactions to life threatening incidents differ from individual to individual. If one has accepted death one tends to act dead-like. On the other hand, if one expects death one lives in fear of dying and life is full of disasters. The research also finds that as a result of pre-natal and early childhood experiences, sexually abused women tend to act immaturely when compared to their chronological age. Their immaturity is evident in their dress, their constant self-rejection and by their dysfunctional relationships. From the research findings it is clear that each individual plays out her own life script. This life script determines how she reacts to herself and her environment. Women who were sexually abused as children have a similar life script, which in turn makes them more prone to abuse. Sexually abused women deny themselves the right to be themselves. Their perceived shameful existence, of relegating themselves, starts prior to the abuse. Treatment should therefore address these destructive life scripts and not treat the presenting symptoms. Chapter 7 proposes recommendations for the treatment and prevention of sexual abuse.

The aim of this research was to establish the women’s perceptions, opinions and feelings on the practise of safe sex and HIV/AIDS to see if there is correlation between sexual behaviour and the level of education. The ultimate aim was to determine, and to raise awareness of, the need for empowerment of women through integrating HIV/AIDS issues and literacy at the community level. In this study it appeared that gender inequality is among other factors fuelling the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. Statistics have proven that women are both amongst those infected and have the highest rate of illiteracy. Thus it is important to instil skills, knowledge, values and attitudes (SKVAs) and thus enhance women’s lives. The question that guided the research reported in this study is: How can women be empowered with skills, knowledge, values and attitudes to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, to better their own lives and to become active change agents in their community? Investigations of this study prompted the researcher to review literature related to empowerment of women. The theoretical foundation discussed the elements related to the research question. Theoretical elements discussed are: empowerment, literacy and HIV/AIDS issues. This literature survey served the purpose of checking the validity of my claim, and returned a “valid” verdict. In the light of the above, a qualitative research methodology was adopted, using personal interviews for data collection. Eight participants were selected by purposive sampling to represent the widest possible range of perspectives, experiences and needs, and the interviews were designed to arrive at a deeper understanding of those experiences and needs. The data gathered were then analysed and findings written up. The findings of this research indicated that women had knowledge about HIV/AIDS and perceived seriousness of the diseases. They were, to an extent misinformed, about the use of condoms and were scared of the repercussions. As such they were exposed to exploitation due to subordination and were eventually vulnerable to contract illnesses. In addition, the factor of gender inequality denies opportunities of empowerment to women, who often encounter direct opposition to their attempts at self-improvement, thereby staying in their “destitute” positions forever. Women interviewed for this study suffered stress and frustration with irresponsible partners. Their multiple roles, as well as household chores, hinder their active participation in any programmes. It is my contention that, to be liberated, women need to be empowered and all forms of discrimination and gender inequality, that block their pursuit of areas of interest, need to be totally eliminated. The women’s responses in the interview contain important suggestions on the needs for empowerment programmes through integrating HIV/AIDS issues and literacy at community level. The study concludes with the recommendations for the need for empowerment programmes. / Dr. M.C. van Loggerenberg

The purpose of this study was to identify childrearing attitudes of Mexican-American mothers with children ages three to five years of age. Specifically the first purpose of this study was to determine childrearing attitudes of Mexican-American mothers with ten years of education or fewer and Mexican-American mothers with eleven years of education or more as identified by the Parent As A Teacher Inventory (PAAT). The second purpose was to identify the relationship of the following demographic variables to childrearing attitudes: mother's age, mother's marital status, family income, sex of child, age of child, access to child, generational status, mother's language and mother's ethnicity. The PAAT and the Parent Information Questionnaire were administered to 112 Mexican-American mothers; 54 Mexican- American mothers with ten years of education or fewer and 58 Mexican-American mothers with eleven years of education or more. The population from which these subjects were drawn were mothers from Mexican-American communities in a North Texas county. Responses on the sample were analyzed using multivariate statistics. Based on the analysis of the data, the following conclusions seem tenable. 1. The Mexican-American mothers with eleven years of education or more have childrearing attitudes which are more positive than the Mexican-American mothers with ten years of education or fewer. 2. Control and teaching-learning are related to the mother's educational level, income, generational status and language. The mothers with more education and a higher income, who are third generation and who prefer English usage, tend to allow their children more independence. 3. Agreement may be expected between the childrearing attitudes of the Mexican-American mothers with ten years of education or fewer and Mexican-American mothers with eleven years of education or more toward creativity, frustration, and play.

This dissertation argues for the central role that higher education played in the making and remaking of gender difference as a fundamental organizing category of British politics and society. From the mid-nineteenth century, major legal, political, and economic shifts newly provided some—mostly elite—women with access to citizenship and the labor market. Nevertheless, gender segregation and gender difference remained essential to conceptions of women's participation in British politics and society. Across the same period, the number of universities in Britain doubled and national student intake more than tripled. Higher education became increasingly centralized and state-funded, and a degree increasingly became a professional qualification for both men and women. My dissertation examines the relationships between these changes and assesses their significance, moving beyond progressive accounts of women's formal admission to degrees. Drawing on extensive research in the archives of ten universities across England and Scotland, I show that gender was at the heart of faculty's, students', administrators', politicians', and donors' conceptions of what higher education was for, who should have access to it, and the extent to which universities should be funded by national government. Though expert opinion across Britain coalesced rapidly around the support of large coeducational research universities, this did little to alter gender difference as the fundamental organizing principle of university life. Campus relations between men and women remained conflicted, and the professional, social, and emotional lives of faculty and students remained largely gender-segregated—contributing to the lasting significance of gender difference for British politics and culture. I demonstrate these claims across three main sections of the dissertation, which cover how gender structured, respectively: the political and legal transformation of higher education, the culture of student life, and the relationship between faculty's careers and personal lives.

Bedford College, established in 1849, was the first institute of higher education for women in England, and with it came the beginning of the women's higher education movement. While Bedford is often dismissed or ignored by modern scholars for not being equal to the women's colleges associated with Cambridge and Oxford, it was crucial in the development of these later colleges and was a bellwether of the women's higher education movement. By examining personal letters and official college documents and carefully assessing later-written histories of Bedford and the other women's colleges, this thesis will explain why and how the College was successfully founded two decades before any other college for women in England. It will also include a thorough discussion of the events that occurred before and during Bedford's establishment, its enigmatic founder Elisabeth Jesser Reid and the role of the women's higher education movement in Bedford's development. This thesis will also show how the successful foundations of Girton and Newnham Colleges at Cambridge University and Lady Margaret Hall and Somerville College at Oxford were made possible by the monumental strides made by Bedford College's influence on the creation of the women's higher education movement.