| dc.description.abstract | This Interpretative Phenomenological Study was initiated to explore the lived experiences of mentorship pairs in counselor education doctoral studies. The research question guiding this study was: what are the qualities of the mentoring relationship between female, cisgender, feminist-oriented counselor education mentors and their male cisgender traditionally-oriented doctoral counselor education mentees? This pair was identified for exploration by noting a gap in mentorship literature that recognizes the unique relational qualities and mentorship outcomes with cross-gender pairs, and the specific influence of feminist orientation on male mentees and the mentorship process.
Cross-gender mentorship is addressed in literature but dominantly refers to men as mentors to women (Casto et al., 2005; Jacobi, 1991). This could sustain a tradition in which men are more likely to be mentored by men and thus more apt to perpetuate under-examined hegemonic masculinity norms (APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Boys and Men, 2018). It also leaves cross-gender relationships under-examined and open to unhelpful biases attributed to heteronormative dynamics assuming an inability for women and men to connect or that connection is based on attraction rather than professional endeavors (Brown et al., 2009; Harden et al., 2009; Johnson, 2002; Schwiebert et al., 1999).
Three cross-gender pairs were interviewed individually to discuss their lived experiences with feminist cross-gender mentorship. Data analysis guidelines for mutiperspectival research designs was used, completing individual case studies of the participant transcripts before moving to analysis of the pairs and then across pairs (Larkin et al., 2019). An IPA research design was chosen as complementary to feminist research in that it has potential to extrapolate rich detailed accounts of participant experiences that creates potential for systemic social change.
Themes identified in this study include: an evolution of the mentorship relationship, leveling the unnecessary hierarchy, and expecting the unexpected: surprising elements and outcomes. This study confirms previous findings of feminist mentorship as “just good mentorship in practice” (Humble et al., 2006 p. 5) and fills the wide gap in understanding the importance of cross-gender mentorship for male mentees in counselor education. | en_US |
