Exploring female K–12 administrators\u27 experiences with horizontal violence: A multiple case study

As the number of women in leadership positions in all careers and professions increases it becomes increasingly significant that there exist an understanding of the way women work and cooperate with one another in situations where advancement may exist, how women promote and support each other in the process of career advancement, and the professional and personal realities which women experience as a result of advancement within the ranks. Since the mid-1980\u27s numerous studies have been conducted in the medical profession, specifically nursing, which have interesting implications in the understanding of how women respond to each other in competitive advancement and superior/subordinate relationships with other women. This dissertation provides research that examines and exposes the experiences of female administrators as they moved up the ladder of success within K–12 school settings. It becomes apparent that attitudes of sabotage and jealousy exist within the advancement ranks of education and work to minimize the effectiveness of female administrators. There are specific strategies for dealing with the negative impact of horizontal violence and are shared by the participants of this study. The benefits of this research project exist for participants as well as for readers. When one encounters difficult and challenging experiences, especially when one is unaware that such challenges exist for others, the tendency may be to internalize fault or to experience isolation due to lack of understanding of the reality of the situation. Clarity and renewed resolve are found in the retelling of personal stories. By exposing women to the realities of horizontal violence, by creating dialogue opportunities about it, and by offering the stories of others, women may find comfort, healing and strategies for more appropriately handling the difficulties that are faced due to horizontal violence