The Stained-Glass Partition: Cross-Sex Collegial Relationships in Christian Academia

This study focused on the glass partition, a term used to describe the challenges that exist in forming and maintaining cross-sex collegial relationships in the workplace. Women may be limited in their ability to benefit from collegial relationships due to the challenges of cross-sex relationships,...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
VerfasserInnen: Dzubinski, Leanne M. (VerfasserIn) ; Hall, M. Elizabeth Lewis (VerfasserIn) ; Starcher, Richard L. (VerfasserIn)
Medienart: Elektronisch Aufsatz
Sprache:Englisch
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Veröffentlicht: Taylor & Francis 2021
In: Christian higher education
Jahr: 2021, Band: 20, Heft: 3, Seiten: 184-208
RelBib Classification:CF Christentum und Wissenschaft
FB Theologiestudium
KBQ Nordamerika
ZB Soziologie
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:This study focused on the glass partition, a term used to describe the challenges that exist in forming and maintaining cross-sex collegial relationships in the workplace. Women may be limited in their ability to benefit from collegial relationships due to the challenges of cross-sex relationships, particularly in a Christian environment. We use the term stained-glass partition to describe the effects of gender separation in a Christian university atmosphere, a research focus that has been largely unexamined to date. In this single-institution study, 21 full-time faculty were interviewed regarding their perceptions of cross-sex relationships at work. Data were analyzed using grounded theory procedures to allow major themes to emerge. Results showed that there is a stained-glass partition operating at the university—sometimes created intentionally and partially based on fear—that has a disproportionately negative impact on women faculty. The partition can be mitigated through routine collegial interactions such as committee work and through viewing one another as sacred siblings rather than a sexual “other.” Students, faculty, and the university as a whole benefit when the partition is reduced, and the Christian faith commitment that is held in common by community members provides a helpful perspective in moving relationships away from power into agape-love and sibling-type relationships. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research are presented.
ISSN:1539-4107
Enthält:Enthalten in: Christian higher education
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/15363759.2020.1756532