Social discourses and gender equality policies in South Africa has enabled the entry of
significant numbers of women into predominantly male domains of educational
leadership. In this study, the lived experiences, of four women heads of department in
four historically race classified schools in the Durban Metropolitan area, are explored.
This study probes the gendered experiences, in which, race and class are inextricably
interwoven, as heads of department in commerce and questions the extent to which their
leadership positions are a reflection of gender equality. Based on semi-structured
interviews with the research participants (black, coloured, Indian and white), this study
argues that despite occupying the status of head of department the research participants
still assume gender subjective roles. Although, some evidence exists of changing
patterns of these women's lives at different stages, the study reveals that the public and
private spheres of work and family are not separate entities; they intersect and impinge,
with particular implications for the position of women within the sphere of education
leadership. The study reveals that despite an overarching discourse of gender equality,
discourses of leadership are primarily about gender, race and class structure in the lived
experiences of the participants. The gendered experiences overall was such that they
inhibited these women from applying for further promotion. In effect, the study shows
that these women, irrespective of being educated and occupying positions of leadership,
are still in a state of subjugation and male domination. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Durban-Westville, 2002.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/3159 |
| Date | January 2002 |
| Creators | Naidoo, Dayanathie. |
| Contributors | Bhana, Deevia. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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