Remarkably few females hold the position of superintendent; although, there are capable women in the educational field who are qualified and interested. Researchers proposed many reasons for this disparity including the lack of studies regarding females in the superintendency. This void has made it difficult to determine a clear picture of what leadership behaviors female superintendents employ. Research questions included: (1) What leadership assumptions appear to form the basis for the leadership behaviors of these presently practicing female superintendents? (2) In what ways do those within each district leadership circle respond to these female superintendents when they function as leaders? (3) What political, educational, and demographic contexts frame the leadership behaviors of these female superintendents? The purpose of this study was to identify and describe through case studies the leadership concepts drawn upon by specific females presently serving in the role of superintendent, the responses of those within the leadership circle regarding these leadership choices, and the situations that drove these superintendents' leadership decisions. Multiple case study design as well as multiple data gathering methods were employed in this study. The leadership choices of female superintendents were investigated in depth through interview, observation, and document analysis. Data was transcribed and coded using Ethnograph software. Common themes and patterns emerged through analysis of statements, situations observed, and interpretation of data collected. These understandings have implications for the training and preparation of women for the superintendency. The study's findings indicated how these female superintendents applied their skills to leadership situations. These findings provided a baseline understanding of how these women proceeded in a top-level position such as the superintendency. In their own words, these women aided in creating a more comprehensive picture of a practicing female superintendent. / Ed. D.

Because there has been a paucity of research on the educational needs of females with academic, behavioral, and emotional problems involved with the juvenile justice system, this study has been an attempt to classify and compare specific characteristics of this population. In particular, it examined their demographics, disability prevalence rates, along with academic, behavioral, and emotional functioning levels, in order to further understand their relationship to the resocialization or recidivism of the different groups of female juveniles incarcerated in the state of Texas, and contribute to the research for further developing successful prevention and intervention programs. Various demographic factors of the female juveniles in this study were examined: (a) offender type, (b) county of commitment, (c) race/ethnicity, (d) age at first referral, and (e) English language proficiency. Prevalence rates of special education disabilities were determined. Academic functioning was measured by (a) IQ; (b) last school grade completed; (c) Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) reading gain score; and (d) TABE math gain score. Behavioral functioning was indicated through (a) offense history, (b) documented behavior incidents, and (c) total risk score. Emotional functioning included DSM-IV diagnoses and treatment needs. Due to the design of the research being a descriptive exploration, the findings produced this compilation of attributes. The population of study typically reached an education level of 8th grade or less before becoming incarcerated. Their IQ is usually in the range of 80 to 90 points, with their reading and math achievement levels lagging about five years behind those of their age group. Their gains in reading and math are usually two to three levels per year. The female juveniles averaged 10 documented behavior incidents during their periods of incarceration. Their Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores at intake showed they had moderate mental health symptoms and/or moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning. For this study population, there were almost twice as many recidivists as first-time offenders, and the findings showed that their characteristics, even those of different disability groups, were much more alike than different.

本研究主要通過對香港七位MTFs（變性女人）進行深度訪談，以她們的經驗為立足點，探討其性別認同和體現（embodiment），及從中反映何種的性別文化及話語權力關係，並思考改變的可能。 / 香港社會和制度對變性人長期忽視，公眾也對變性人存在不少誤解和歧視。學術上香港缺少專門關注變性（者）經驗的研究，但性/別研究界卻受到西方主流性/別理論及論述的影響，把變性者想像為顛覆性別規範的戰士。同時，這些想像或理念也存在於本地性/別小眾運動裡。面對各種誤解或迷思，我認為亟需一種在地的探討--香港特有的脈絡和變性主體的經驗--來建構在地的變性和性/別知識與理論。 / 論文在性別作為話語、結構、體現三個層面展開：展現MTFs與醫療體制及話語的互動，她們並非被動的接受者，而是懂得利用緊缺資源和有限話語的主體；呈現她們在性別二元結構下受的壓迫及其生存策略，反映社會建構性別空間的限制；面對與自己身體及親密關係裡的矛盾，她們的主體性在徘徊、掙扎、妥協、協商、反抗中體現；從她們的切身經驗反思學術及運動裡主流性/別話語的局限。最後從女性主義的立場再思變性者為理論和實踐帶來的新視野，提出模糊主體疆界來超越當下主流的顛覆對保守二元思維、消融小眾對大眾對立模式之可能。 / This study is mainly based on in-depth interviews with seven local MTFs (Male-to-Females/Transsexual women) in Hong Kong. Taking off from MTFs’ lived experiences, the study focuses on their gender identity and embodiment, and explores the power relationships and discourses of gender in our culture. And it also suggests some possibilities for ideological and social changes. / The rights and needs of transsexual people have been neglected in our society, and there are often misunderstandings and discrimination from the public. In academic context, there is a lack of consideration for transsexual people’s voices and experiences in gender studies in Hong Kong. In particular, in the field of gender studies - nowadays seemingly dominated by sexuality issues - there is a non-critical tendency to imagine transsexual people to be warriors who subvert gender dualism and gendernorms warriors. Such imagination or discourse also exists in local movements of sexual and gender minorities. Realizing these misunderstandings and myths in society, academia and movement, I think a more localized and grounded study is needed to construct new knowledge and theories about transsexuality and gender/sexuality. / This thesis analyzes MTFs’ experiences at three levels: gender as discourse (including medical and theoretical-political), gender as structure, and gender as embodiment. Firstly, by analyzing how MTFs interact with the medical institution and discourse, I find that MTFs did not or do not play a passive or victim role, but nevertheless they can make use of these medical resources, although limited and restricted, to “do gender. And then, I explore oppression and survival strategies of MTFs living within the gender structure, and the possibilities and limitation of doing gender in our society can be analyzed. Afterwards, I reveal the contradictions inside MTFs’ own bodies and intimate relationships. Only by looking into their hesitation, struggling, compromise, negotiation and resistance in these contradictions can their gender embodiment and subjectivity be understood. The last analytical part focuses on what critiques and reflection MTFs’ experiences could bring us on the mainstream gender/sexuality discourses and identity politics in academia and movement. In conclusion, by theorizing transsexuality, with insights from feminist epistemology, I suggest destabilization and melting the boundary among different subjects, in order to surpass the binary thinking of Subversion vs Convention, and transcend the structure of opposing the Minority vs Majority into new theoretical, practical and political possibilities. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / 陳文彦. / "2012年3月". / "2012 nian 3 yue". / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 174-178). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in Chinese and English. / Chen Wenyan. / 簡介 --- p.I / 感謝 --- p.III / 目錄 --- p.V / Chapter 第一章 --- 背景 --- p.1 / Chapter 1 --- 語言的局限 --- p.1 / Chapter 2 --- 變性的社會背景 --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1 --- 美國變性歷史和GID的誕生 --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- 香港變性的醫療背景介紹 --- p.7 / Chapter 2.3 --- 香港和變性有關的法律介紹 --- p.9 / Chapter 2.4 --- 香港跨性別、變性的研究概括 --- p.11 / Chapter 2.5 --- 和變性有關的香港社會文化 --- p.11 / Chapter 2.6 --- 香港的跨性別社群與組織 --- p.13 / Chapter 3 --- 我的故事 --- p.14 / Chapter 3.1 --- 我的性/別經歷 --- p.14 / Chapter 3.2 --- 我與女性主義 --- p.16 / Chapter 3.3 --- 廣州人在香港 --- p.17 / Chapter 第二章 --- 文獻回顧與概念框架 --- p.18 / Chapter 1 --- 文獻回顧 --- p.18 / Chapter 1.1 --- 西方變性研究 --- p.19 / Chapter 1.2 --- 非西方變性研究 --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3 --- 香港本土研究 --- p.25 / Chapter 2 --- 理論爭議 --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1 --- 分離女性主義論述下的變性者 --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2 --- 北美跨性別政治下的變性者 --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3 --- 顛覆主流性/別的論述 --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4 --- 小結：研究的借鑒 --- p.30 / Chapter 3 --- 本研究的概念框架 --- p.31 / Chapter 3.1 --- 性別作為社會結構 --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2 --- 性別作為話語與權力關係 --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3 --- 性別作為體現 --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4 --- 小結 --- p.44 / Chapter 第三章 --- 研究問題與方法論 --- p.45 / Chapter 1 --- 研究問題 --- p.45 / Chapter 2 --- 女性主義方法論 --- p.47 / Chapter 2.1 --- 主體經驗：研究的起始點 --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2 --- 以女性主義為指導的研究實踐 --- p.47 / Chapter 3 --- 研究設計與執行 --- p.49 / Chapter 3.1 --- 文獻、文件資料收集 --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2 --- 與專業人士訪談 --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3 --- 與TS訪談 --- p.51 / Chapter 4 --- 研究的倫理 --- p.56 / Chapter 5 --- 方法論的反思 --- p.57 / Chapter 5.1 --- 「朋友-研究者」的位置 --- p.57 / Chapter 5.2 --- 「學者」與「學習者」 --- p.58 / Chapter 5.3 --- 介乎於當局者和局外人的位置 --- p.58 / Chapter 第四章 --- 性別作為醫療體制和話語 --- p.60 / Chapter 1 --- 香港的變性醫療制度 --- p.60 / Chapter 1.1 --- 香港醫療制度簡介 --- p.60 / Chapter 1.2 --- 變性醫療服務的歷史 --- p.62 / Chapter 1.3 --- 變性醫療服務的資源問題 --- p.64 / Chapter 1.4 --- 有心人遊走的空間 --- p.66 / Chapter 2 --- 變性醫療話語的運作 --- p.68 / Chapter 2.1 --- GID話語分析 --- p.69 / Chapter 2.2 --- 香港變性醫療話語：灰色地帶背後的話語/權力運作 --- p.72 / Chapter 3 --- MTFs與醫療體制的互動 --- p.74 / Chapter 3.1 --- 輾轉的變性歷程 --- p.74 / Chapter 3.2 --- 取得一定的話語權 --- p.77 / Chapter 4 --- MTFs與GID話語的互動 --- p.78 / Chapter 4.1 --- GID作為MTFs自我理解與表達的途徑 --- p.79 / Chapter 4.2 --- 對GID除病化的思考 --- p.82 / Chapter 5 --- 小結 --- p.87 / Chapter 第五章 --- 性別作爲社會結構 --- p.89 / Chapter 1 --- 非主流性別氣質在青少年時期的生存空間 --- p.90 / Chapter 1.1 --- 壓制，欺凌，孤立 --- p.90 / Chapter 1.2 --- 生存策略 --- p.92 / Chapter 2 --- MTFs在工作場所的生存空間 --- p.96 / Chapter 3 --- 敏銳的「自動判別性別機制」 --- p.103 / Chapter 3.1 --- 衣著打扮的性別意涵 --- p.103 / Chapter 3.2 --- 聲音與性別判別機制 --- p.105 / Chapter 3.3 --- 身體、氣質與性別判別機制 --- p.107 / Chapter 4 --- 性別二分場所 --- p.109 / Chapter 5 --- 異性戀規範的性別秩序 --- p.112 / Chapter 6 --- MTFs與家庭的互動 --- p.115 / Chapter 7 --- 小結 --- p.119 / Chapter 第六章 --- 性別作為矛盾中的體現（embodiment） --- p.121 / Chapter 1 --- 體認的矛盾 --- p.122 / Chapter 2 --- 性/別體現（the embodiment of gender and sexuality） --- p.126 / Chapter 2.1 --- 親密關係 --- p.127 / Chapter 2.2 --- 矛盾的性興奮/性幻想 --- p.130 / Chapter 2.3 --- 小結：性態與變性者的主體性 --- p.131 / Chapter 3 --- 身體的實踐 --- p.132 / Chapter 3.1 --- 作為客體的身體 --- p.133 / Chapter 3.2 --- 作為卑賤體（abject）的身體 --- p.135 / Chapter 3.3 --- 作為主體的身體 --- p.137 / Chapter 4 --- 小結：矛盾中體現的主體性 --- p.142 / Chapter 第七章 --- 性別作為政治身份（political identity）：變性者与政治身份/身份政治 --- p.144 / Chapter 1 --- 概述變性者與三種政治身份 --- p.145 / Chapter 2 --- MTFs在身份認同上的差異：想像中的「跨性別」？ --- p.147 / Chapter 3 --- MTFs與性（別）小眾運動：有志未必一同？ --- p.152 / Chapter 4 --- 顛覆性別二元之外的可能？ --- p.155 / Chapter 第八章 --- 結論 --- p.158 / Chapter 1 --- 對理論框架的反思 --- p.158 / Chapter 2 --- 對西方有關變性（者）的三個理論爭議之回應 --- p.159 / Chapter 2.1 --- 變性醫療制度及話語的複雜性 --- p.160 / Chapter 2.2 --- 肯定變性女人作為女人的經驗 --- p.161 / Chapter 2.3 --- 超越保守vs顛覆的論述：變性（女）人在理論與運動定位 --- p.163 / Chapter 3 --- 再思主體與主體性 --- p.165 / Chapter 3.1 --- 「自相矛盾」的主體 --- p.166 / Chapter 3.2 --- 變化：主體性的體現 --- p.167 / Chapter 3.3 --- 聽見主體的眾生喧嘩 --- p.168 / Chapter 3.4 --- 與矛盾共存的主體 --- p.170 / Chapter 3.5 --- p.171 / Chapter 4 --- 小結：變性者的矛盾與可能 --- p.172 / p.174

This thesis is a study of female authorship that examines the feature films of Jane Campion in order to determine how her preoccupation with the cinematic articulation of 'female experience' is expressed in her films-whether female experience can be aestheticised, and to discover whether her gender can be discerned through the films of a woman director. The exploration of these ideas entails a review of the feminist thinking, methodologies and epistemologies that are relevant to cinema, and that examine relevant theoretical positions within feminism and theories of cinematic authorship. The key lens employed here for theorising Campion's cinema is that of postmodern-feminism. As an approach, this allows an understanding of difference rather than 'Otherness', and an enquiry into gender that is neither essentialist nor constructionist, but facilitates critical thinking about both positions. The central argument of this thesis is that Campion's film practice functions as an investigation into gender difference, how women and men live together in the world-experience that world, and are engendered as female through historic, psychological and cultural experiences. This thesis therefore argues that Campion's aesthetic and perspective is not only feminist, but also, female, and feminine, and her work a cinematic articulation of female experience.

WOMEN’S RELATIONSHIPS: FEMALE FRIENDSHIP IN TONI MORRISON’S SULA AND LOVE, MARIAMA BA’S SO LONG A LETTER AND SEFI ATTA’S EVERYTHING GOOD WILL COME by KADIDIA SY Under the Direction of Renée Schatteman, Chris Kocela and Margaret Harper ABSTRACT This study analyzes female friendship in four novels written by black diasporic women and examines the impact of race, class and gender on women’s relationships. The novels emphasize how women face the challenges of patriarchal institutions and other attempts to subjugate then through polygamy, neo-colonialism, constraints of tradition, caste prejudice, political instability and the Biafra war. This dissertation uses characterization and plot analysis to explore the different stories and messages the novels portray. As findings this study foregrounds the healing powers of female bonding, which allows women to overcome prejudice and survive, to enjoy female empowerment, and to extend female friendship into female solidarity that participates in nation building. However, another conclusion focuses on the power of patriarchy which constitutes a threat to female bonding and usually causes women’s estrangement. INDEX WORDS: Women’s relationships, Female friendship, Female bonding, Sisterhood, Female solidarity, Female Empowerment

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2003. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Apr. 30, 2006). Advisor: Vincent Roscigno, Dept. of Sociology. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-150).

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2015 / Centre for Human Rights / LLM / Unrestricted

The objective of the paper is to study the effect that female representation in national parliaments have on economic growth in African countries. The foundation for this research question is the assumption that an increase in female representation will lead to an increase in female education and female labour force participation and this will cause a positive effect on economic growth. To test the hypothesis panel data from 50 African countries is used during the time period 2008-2018. An OLS, entity fixed effect and time and entity fixed effect regression was conducted to test the research questions and control variables are included in the regression. The results showed no statistically significant effects of female representation on economic growth and the relationship was negative which contradicts earlier research and the initial hypothesis.

Female circumcision (FC) is the partial or total removal of the female genitalia for nonmedical reasons. This study was designed to examine the lived experiences of Somali women who underwent FC before coming to the United States. FC is widely carried out in Somalia with a prevalence of 98%, making Somalia the country with the highest percentage of circumcised women. There are short- and long-term consequences associated with FC such as bleeding, infection, and death. Therefore, it is important to understand how Somali women who underwent FC think and feel about circumcision, why they would continue the practice, and whether they would recommend the practice for others. Using a qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach aligned with the use of social convention theory as a conceptual framework, data were collected from 12 Somali women who underwent FC, who were living in the United States at the time of the study, who were 18 years old and above and who were recruited online through SurveyMonkey without disclosing their identities. Thirty-five open-ended questions were posted online for participants to complete. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis method was used for data analysis. The respondents reported experiencing negative consequences from FC practice including pain, miscarriages, and heavy bleeding. The majority of the women in the study supported the eradication of FC in all forms. Based on the findings of this study, possible implications for positive social change include enabling health professionals to create culturally-diverse education and care and altering the social convention of FC so that the morbidity and mortality caused by FC is reduced and the lives of girls and women in Somalia are improved.