Black and White Social Work Faculty: Perceptions of Respect, Satisfaction, and Job Permanence

A survey of Black and white faculty in predominately white schools of social work was conducted. The purpose of the survey was to examine qualitative job experiences of these faculty. The researcher attempted to assess how Blacks and whites perceive themselves being responded to as faculty members. This paper reports responses to two sociometric questions: 1) To what extent do social work faculty view themselves as being respected and 2) How satisfied, overall, are they with their faculty positions? Moreover, because much of the expressed concern for minority and female faculty has had to do with their retention, faculty perceptions of job permanence was also selected for study. Analysis of faculty responses to the survey questions indicated significant and outstanding differences exist among Black and white, male and female faculty. Both race and sex were found to be salient factors in predicting faculty perceptions of perceived respect, job satisfaction and permanence. Blacks reported perceiving themselves to receive less respect and job satisfaction than did white faculty. Irrespective of race or sex, tenure, was found to positively influence job satisfaction. Proportionately fewer Blacks than whites report having future plans for continuance in their present faculty positions. However, the clearest message which these data convey is, relative to other faculty, it is the Black female faculty member who appears to be the underdog in social work education