Data from 181 proteges were used to compare perceptions of mentoring in cross- and same-gender relationships. Mentor role perceptions were not influenced by mentor or protege gender. Cross-gender proteges were less likely to engage in social activities with mentors, and female proteges with female mentors were more likely to identify mentors as…

Focuses on the nature, role, and influence of mentors in the lives of gifted adults. Provides suggestions for counselors. (Author)

A questionnaire study among college sophomores and seniors indicated that: (1) female students neither gravitate toward nor avoid female role models, while men prefer high status, powerful male models; and (2) female and male students were similar in the amount and nature of contact with models, mentoring performed by models, and modeling…

Using biographical interviewing, the study addressed graduate women's definitions of role models and mentors, perceived benefits of the mentor-protege relationship, and developmental discontinuities in mentor selection. Results are discussed within the context of the politics of mentoring of the attributions made by male mentors for female…

Examined perceptions of men and women doctoral students (N=481) about issues doctoral students face. Women students perceived less support from faculty than did men. Women also reported conflict in attempting to integrate their personal and professional life roles. Discusses women's needs for role models and a supportive school environment. (BH)

The study explored the career and professional socialization patterns of top women administrators in comparison to their male counterparts. A 24-item questionnaire was developed and 89 usable questionnaires were returned from women administrators in Pennsylvania. Subjects were classified into one of three position categories--major academic,…

This research documents the mentors and mentoring functions experienced by school and district administrators. Both sexes frequently have mentors, but mentoring functions are more helpful to women. The psychosocial functions of mentoring are important to both sexes, and school boards may want to adopt policies that will encourage mentoring. (VM)

Mentor professors were surveyed with respect to their most successful "proteges" regarding scholarly production, the mentorship role, and their careers. Mentors overwhelmingly nominated as their most successful proteges those whose careers were essentially identical to their own. (Author/MLW)

A great deal of received wisdom in the area of the lack of ability of women in science is still based on assumption, belief, or prejudices operating at the level of superstition. The "Snark Syndrome," a term inspired by Lewis Carroll's famous nonsense poem. "The Hunting of the Snark" was coined by Eileen Byrne to describe these…

A study of 10 Cypriotturkish young people in British universities identified the factors they perceive as having had an impact on their achievement. Negative experiences in secondary and higher education included teachers' low expectations, racism, and lack of role models/mentors. Women were more aware of these issues than men were. (JOW)

Different gender cultures can create dilemmas for women in the workplace. Although mentoring can help address this problem, there are at least three different available mentoring models (the apprenticeship, the competency model, and the reflective practitioner). Examines definitions and grounds for choosing among mentoring alternatives.…

A mentor is a close, trusted, and experienced counselor or guide who trains, disciplines, and assumes a great deal of responsibility in assisting the protege. Considerable debate exists in organizational research as to the value and benefit of mentors, and only recently have some businesses recognized mentors as important to the shaping of new…

After reviewing the literature on mentoring, this report presents the results of a study of 544 students enrolled at Florida A&M University (FAMU), a historically black institution. Students responses to the following issues are analyzed by gender, race, classification, and school and college: (1) reasons for having a mentor relationship at…

This paper attempts to answer questions about the role that non-related adults may play in the lives of adolescents, particularly who the non-related adults are that adolescents turn to; how helpful do adolescents find these adults; and how these patterns change by race, socioeconomic status, and gender. The paper draws from the research…

Data were collected in five countries (The Gambia, Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Sierra Leone) between 1976 and 1981 from secondary students to examine five variables affecting occupational aspirations: sex, culture, religion, socioeconomic status, and environment and opportunities of the school. School quality and sex affected attitudes most. (LC)