Advisor
Black, Linda L.
Committee Member
Helm, Heather
Committee Member
Koehler-Hak, Katherine M.
Committee Member
Welsh, Marilyn
Department
Applied Psychology & Counselor Education
Institution
University of Northern Colorado
Type of Resources
Text
Place of Publication
Greeley (Colo.)
Publisher
University of Northern Colorado
Date Created
5-1-2012
Genre
Thesis
Extent
228 pages
Digital Origin
Born digital
Description
The focus of this case study was to better understand male counseling students' perceptions of female clients, peers, and faculty and how those perceptions impacted their interactions. Gender is a significant factor in the counseling relationship, and our culture; gender and gender stereotypes play a large role in our lives and our interactions. Understanding male counseling students' perceptions of females could help to inform the current state of gender awareness and sensitivity in counseling training and education. Ten male, graduate counseling students engaged in two semi-structured interviews, responded to four journal prompts, and provided artifacts in order to gain an understanding of their current perceptions of women, specifically, their female clients, peers, and faculty. The data were subsumed into the following 15 broad categories then synthesized into nine themes: Importance of Gender in Counseling; Gap in Gender Training; Men and Women are Different; Women, the Softer Half; Looks Matter, for Women; Patriarchy's Oppression of Men; It's Not Men's Fault, Women have the Power; Lack of Self-Awareness and Contradictions; and You Can't Trust Most Women. These themes were organized into three findings, The Need for Training and Education; Sex Bias and Sexism in Counseling; and Men's Response to Sexism, to discuss the findings and recommendations. According to the findings, there was a critical need for intentional focus on gender issues in counselor education and training to address gender issues, biases, stereotyping, the need for increased sensitivity, and the importance of counselor self-awareness. This study provided additional support for the increased emphasis on gender issues for counselors in training, because gender is a key element in counseling relationships. Implications and recommendations included specifics surrounding gender education and training, and professional development and accountability of faculty as it relates to gender.
Notes
Released from 1-year embargo.
Degree type
PhD
Degree Name
Doctoral
Language
English
Local Identifiers
Huntington_unco_0161D_10139.pdf
Rights Statement
Copyright is held by author.
