Principal’s Masculinity: Insights into Cultural and Social Distinctions in Principal–Teacher Relations

This qualitative research examined perceptions of Muslim and Jewish teachers in Israel concerning the masculinity of male school principals, and the way in which these perceptions affect principal–teacher relationships. Muslim and Jewish teachers studying for master of arts ’ degrees in a university and a teacher-education college in Israel completed open questionnaires and participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings indicated similarities and differences between the perceptions of the two different cultural groups, highlighting reci-procal principal–teacher influences and elucidating a cultural discourse concern-ing a principal’s perceived masculinity and femininity. It is concluded that the concept of the school principal’s masculinity is a fluid social construct, varying according to cultural–ideological perceptions that affect the principal’s own preferred communication patterns in the school. Since both masculine and fem-inine qualities are needed for effective education leadership, a policy advocatin