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Code Switching: A Tool Leveraged by Female Superintendents to Overcome Gender Bias

Halley, Kimberly Krystine
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3823-7604
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1592638383925545

Abstract Details

2020, Doctor of Education, Miami University, Educational Leadership.
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the extent to which female school superintendents consciously code switch, or adjust a feature about themselves, in the workplace. The study examined the phenomenon of code switching, its use as a strategy, and the ways in which women intentionally assimilate to masculine qualities as they perform a traditionally male-dominated role. The coping mechanism of code switching includes altering presentation of self, such as outer appearance, modified speech, and displays of confidence and intelligence. In addition, the study captured the ways in which female superintendents use code switching to navigate negative perceptions which are influenced by stereotypes and implicit bias about women as leaders. Since the position of superintendent has been historically reserved for white men, the study’s purpose was to better understand the realities of female leaders and describe experiences with gender bias from their perspectives. The phenomenon of code switching was studied as experienced and practiced by female public-school superintendents in Ohio during the 2019-2020 school year. Three primary data collection methods were used to develop detailed descriptions, including an electronic survey completed by 38 (of 99) practicing female superintendents, seven face-to-face in-depth interviews using a semi-structured protocol, and the researcher's field notes. The results reveal some of the power dynamics encountered by women at the intersection of gender and this educational leadership role. The phenomenon of code switching as a leadership strategy is described through quotations in regard to general contexts and specific situations. The results assemble the women's rationale for engaging in code switching and the ways in which they report using it to navigate the challenges.
Lucian Szlizewski (Committee Co-Chair)
Joel Malin (Committee Co-Chair)
Stephanie Baer (Committee Member)
74 p.
Educational Leadership; Management; School Administration; Womens Studies
identity; gender; code switching; stereotype; implicit bias; impression management

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Halley, K. K. (2020). Code Switching: A Tool Leveraged by Female Superintendents to Overcome Gender Bias [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1592638383925545

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Halley, Kimberly. Code Switching: A Tool Leveraged by Female Superintendents to Overcome Gender Bias. 2020. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1592638383925545.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Halley, Kimberly. "Code Switching: A Tool Leveraged by Female Superintendents to Overcome Gender Bias." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1592638383925545

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1592638383925545
421
© 2020, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License Code Switching: A Tool Leveraged by Female Superintendents to Overcome Gender Bias by Kimberly Krystine Halley is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.