Busy today, even to assemble a proper link dump. So I'm going to steal from LGM, and encourage you to read Mad Melancholic Feminista on the strict/nurturing dichotomy experienced by young female faculty:
When younger female facutly aren't getting challenged on everything: i.e., when they scheduled tests, why so much work, why they grade so hard, or why they assign so much reading, they are, conversely, sought out for all sorts of nurturing. Students automatically assume that these women are waiting to drop everything to help them not only with their questions about how to do X, but about their personal lives. Many female faculty also get more easily roped into informal committee work that takes away their time. If you add all this up, it's not surprising why they are so damn stressed out.
What was that she said? Stressed? Right. See you later.
Posted by binky at January 29, 2007 09:29 AM | TrackBack | Posted to The AcademyTake heart in the fact that it takes a fair amount of trust and/or respect to confide in a faculty member yet alone show any sort of weakness. An individual's personality/character draws students to seek their guidance, not necessarily just the resemblance of a mommy figure. Anyway, we are very appreciative of such contributions even though it may not be said enough or to the degree necessary.
Posted by: Reagan at January 30, 2007 11:25 AM | PERMALINKOh, we know that, and appreciate it too. The point of her piece is not that we don't care for our students, but that our colleagues don't always understand this dynamic which is doubly taxing than for those who neither have to work to be stern nor are expected to be nurturing. It's sometimes like having three jobs in one, if you get her drift. And of course, if you really do care about students, crushing their trust/respect (which is what you are expected to do by colleagues) is anathema. Rock, meet hard place.
Posted by: binky at January 31, 2007 04:25 PM | PERMALINK