School Administrators’ Preferences in Hiring Home Economics Teachers: The Role of Gender Stereotypes

Abstract

This study explored the School Administrators' Preferences in Hiring Home Economics Teachers: The Role of Gender Stereotypes. Purposive sampling was used to identify the seven (7) school heads based on the set inclusion criteria. This study used a phenomenology research design to extract the ideas from the participants. In-depth interview (IDI) was employed in this study. Previous study focused on the Filipino Hospitality industry Gender Disparities: Hiring Practices, Salary Levels, and Promotional Opportunities. However, gaps have been identified from the last study, which focused only on the hospitality industry, not the educational settings, particularly the hiring practices of home economics teachers.  Thematic analysis used themes that emerged from the work experiences of school heads with different genders: handling difficulty in the workplace, respecting cultural diversity, and being proficient in home economics teaching. The gender preferences of school heads in hiring home economics teachers were valuing diversity and female-dominated. The insights drawn from the study's findings that will contribute to the academic setting were promoting gender and development in the workplace and harmonious relationship to academic settings. Department of Education (DepEd) key officials may conduct school campaigns on the importance of gender equality by integrating it into the school curriculum as an elective subject.  School heads may suggest implementing seminars, training, and workshops about gender equality for all the teaching and non-teaching staff in the organization.