Research Article

Impact of Socially Constructed Choices on Female School Heads’ Educational and Career Choices in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study

Number: 26 April 30, 2021
  • Ahsan-ur Rehman
  • Muhammad Ilyas Khan
  • Zarina Waheed *

Impact of Socially Constructed Choices on Female School Heads’ Educational and Career Choices in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study presents findings from a larger study exploring the career trajectories of female schoolteachers who become school heads. The study was carried out in Peshawar, Pakistan. Female school heads’ career choices have been termed socially constructed as it explores the influences of predominantly male-dominant social structures on women’s career choices. The study explores the contributors to and influence on female school heads' decisions to join the teaching profession within the context of the predominately traditional and conservative society in north-west, Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for in-depth and rich accounts of ten female school heads. The findings of this study suggest that in the educational and career choices of female school heads, their parents and especially fathers play a significant role. The findings also suggest that keeping the cultural realities in mind females opt for the culturally acceptable professions: school teaching in the current context. The study reveals limited choices of education and careers for women in traditional societies. This calls for efforts to broaden such choices for women for a more equitable social ordering. Further, wider scope studies may be conducted for greater generalizations and broader understanding regarding the issue.

Keywords

References

  1. Ali, F. (2013). A Multi-level perspective on equal employment opportunity for women in Pakistan. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 32(3), 289-309.
  2. Aveling, N. (2002). Having it all' and the discourse of equal opportunity: Reflections on choices and changing perceptions. Gender and Education, 14(3), 265-280.
  3. Bakioglu, A., & Ulker, N. (2018). Career barriers faced by Turkish women academics: Support for what? Original Empirical Research, 8(3), 313-321.
  4. Biernacki, P., & Waldorf, D. (1981). Snowball sampling: Problems and techniques of chain referal sampling. Sociological Methods & Research, 10(2), 141-163.
  5. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
  6. Burridge, N., Payne, A. M., & Rahmani, N. (2016). 'Education is as important for me as water is to sustaining life': perspectives on the higher education of women in Afghanistan. Gender and Education, 28(1), 128-147.
  7. Cochrane, M. (2015). Pupils' choices in their educational and career trajectories. Unpublished Thesis. Keele University.
  8. Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2011). Research methods in education (7th ed.). New York: Routledge.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

-

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ahsan-ur Rehman This is me
Pakistan

Muhammad Ilyas Khan This is me
Pakistan

Zarina Waheed * This is me
Pakistan

Publication Date

April 30, 2021

Submission Date

April 30, 2021

Acceptance Date

-

Published in Issue

Year 2021 Number: 26

APA
Rehman, A.- ur, Khan, M. I., & Waheed, Z. (2021). Impact of Socially Constructed Choices on Female School Heads’ Educational and Career Choices in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study. Eğitimde Nitel Araştırmalar Dergisi, 26, 231-245. https://izlik.org/JA89YK74BL
AMA
1.Rehman A ur, Khan MI, Waheed Z. Impact of Socially Constructed Choices on Female School Heads’ Educational and Career Choices in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study. Derginin Amacı ve Kapsamı. 2021;(26):231-245. https://izlik.org/JA89YK74BL
Chicago
Rehman, Ahsan-ur, Muhammad Ilyas Khan, and Zarina Waheed. 2021. “Impact of Socially Constructed Choices on Female School Heads’ Educational and Career Choices in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study”. Eğitimde Nitel Araştırmalar Dergisi, nos. 26: 231-45. https://izlik.org/JA89YK74BL.
EndNote
Rehman A- ur, Khan MI, Waheed Z (April 1, 2021) Impact of Socially Constructed Choices on Female School Heads’ Educational and Career Choices in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study. Eğitimde Nitel Araştırmalar Dergisi 26 231–245.
IEEE
[1]A.- ur Rehman, M. I. Khan, and Z. Waheed, “Impact of Socially Constructed Choices on Female School Heads’ Educational and Career Choices in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study”, Derginin Amacı ve Kapsamı, no. 26, pp. 231–245, Apr. 2021, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA89YK74BL
ISNAD
Rehman, Ahsan-ur - Khan, Muhammad Ilyas - Waheed, Zarina. “Impact of Socially Constructed Choices on Female School Heads’ Educational and Career Choices in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study”. Eğitimde Nitel Araştırmalar Dergisi. 26 (April 1, 2021): 231-245. https://izlik.org/JA89YK74BL.
JAMA
1.Rehman A- ur, Khan MI, Waheed Z. Impact of Socially Constructed Choices on Female School Heads’ Educational and Career Choices in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study. Derginin Amacı ve Kapsamı. 2021;:231–245.
MLA
Rehman, Ahsan-ur, et al. “Impact of Socially Constructed Choices on Female School Heads’ Educational and Career Choices in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study”. Eğitimde Nitel Araştırmalar Dergisi, no. 26, Apr. 2021, pp. 231-45, https://izlik.org/JA89YK74BL.
Vancouver
1.Ahsan-ur Rehman, Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Zarina Waheed. Impact of Socially Constructed Choices on Female School Heads’ Educational and Career Choices in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study. Derginin Amacı ve Kapsamı [Internet]. 2021 Apr. 1;(26):231-45. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA89YK74BL