Supervisory Gender Attitudes

The article I reviewed is titled “The relationship of supervisor and trainee gender match and gender attitude match to supervisory style and the supervisory working alliance.” The article discusses the correlation between gender attitudes and the impact of supervision style both on the supervisor and supervisees. Specifically the different supervision styles are discussed in our class in chapter 7 “Leadership Skills, Styles.” The article discusses a research study that concluded the gender attitudes of supervisors and supervisees were not significantly related to the ratings of the working alliance. The results also indicated that gender attitudes do not match sexual relationships and stereotypes that are significantly related to either …show more content…
The study that is referenced in the article defines socially and culturally gender roles as being expectations that are brought into supervisory roles with recommendations regarding gender issues in supervision. However, other studies have been conducted that are extremely varied in design and focus. The findings of those studies have been inconsistent and inconclusive. It was thought that the supervision style was expected to vary as a function of the gender attitude match of supervisors and supervisees. As various gender-related topics arise in supervision the supervisor and supervisee realize that he or she share similar attitudes. He or she may begin to view each other as colleagues, which could lead to a more attractive or collegial style of supervision. People who have attained liberal gender attitudes are presumed to have the cognitive complexity and sophistication to view others as unique individuals and would be accepting regardless of others’ gender attitudes. This perceived bond of the supervisory working alliance may be strengthened, he or she are likely to agree on the tasks and goals of supervision. The study hypothesized that those supervisory roles in which both members had liberal gender attitudes would report the strongest supervisory working …show more content…
The supervisee in the future may be asked to think about where and how he or she developed his or her attitudes regarding what level and type of emotional expression is appropriate for men and for women. Supervisors must be aware of their own supervision style and gender attitudes. Furthermore, supervisors and supervisees should have discussions about gender, just as they should about other cultural similarities and differences. Understanding the different approaches to supervision, the different components to the working alliance, and how gender attitudes can impact supervisors’ practice and could potentially enhance its effectiveness. This article is suggesting that gender attitudes do not dictate the supervision style in the supervisee perception. The fact is that a supervisor, either he or she, must choose a style that best fits a particular