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Gender Diversity in The Military. Women Leadership and Overcoming Challenges A Qualitative Phenomenological Study

Willis-Frazier, Brandon
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu171144966223821

Abstract Details

2024, Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership), Youngstown State University, Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies.
The military has long been recognized as a traditionally male-dominated field where women have faced various barriers and limited opportunities for advancement. Women are becoming more powerful in the military as leaders, breaking down barriers and dispelling preconceptions as they take command, inspire, and shape the military's future. The problem under investigation was the persistent underrepresentation of women in the U.S. military; due to gender bias and preconceptions that are deeply embedded in military culture, women in the military face unique difficulties and impediments. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of women leaders in the U.S. military and how they have worked to overcome challenges when accessing top leadership positions. This study followed a qualitative method that utilized a phenomenological design. The researcher collected data from 10 female leaders in top leadership positions within any armed forces. For this study, a top leadership position was defined as (a) Captain, (b) Major, (c) Lieutenant Colonel, (d) Colonel, (e) Brigadier General, and (f) General. The researcher collected data via semi-structured interviews, asking each participant the same ten open-ended questions in the same manner during a private interview. Five themes emerged from the dataset: (a) resilience and adapted strategies, (b) gendered workplace inequities, (c) personal and professional balance, (d) building and nurturing professional networks, and (e) gendered workplace pressures. These themes highlight various aspects of women's experiences, including intersectionality challenges, mental health considerations, and organizational support. Specifically, the recognition of these themes contributes to a more robust understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced by women leaders in the military.
Jane Beese, EdD (Committee Chair)
Nathan Myers, PhD (Committee Member)
Patrick Spearman, PhD (Committee Member)
167 p.
Military History; Military Studies; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Womens Studies

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Willis-Frazier, B. (2024). Gender Diversity in The Military. Women Leadership and Overcoming Challenges A Qualitative Phenomenological Study [Doctoral dissertation, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu171144966223821

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Willis-Frazier, Brandon. Gender Diversity in The Military. Women Leadership and Overcoming Challenges A Qualitative Phenomenological Study. 2024. Youngstown State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu171144966223821.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Willis-Frazier, Brandon. "Gender Diversity in The Military. Women Leadership and Overcoming Challenges A Qualitative Phenomenological Study." Doctoral dissertation, Youngstown State University, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu171144966223821

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ysu171144966223821
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© 2024, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Youngstown State University and OhioLINK.