Perceptions of Gender Integration in Division II Athletic Training

Abstract

This study focused on the athletic trainers' perception of gender integration in the Division II setting. Gender integration in athletic training focuses on issues of gender equality in the workplace. The short form of the Interaction gender audit was used to measure perceptions of gender integration in four areas including political will, technical capacity, accountability, and organizational culture. The study population included 141 athletic trainers working in the 4th NATA district at a Division II institution. 141 potential participants were invited via email to participate in the study. A total of 14 males and 21 females completed the survey online. Male and females provided low ratings to questions pertaining to accountability of gender integration in the workplace. Accountability is the ways an organization determines the extent to which it is following gender equality policies and integrating gender equality in its basic structure (Harvey, Morris, Kindervatter & Woods, 2010). Males and females had differing perceptions of gender integration. Females perceived gender integration to be less advanced in the workplace compared to males. Specifically, females recognize that there needs to be improvement in the area of organization culture in the field of athletic training. Organizational culture is defined as "norms, customs, beliefs and codes of behavior in an organization that support or undermine gender equality"� (Harvey, et al 2010). The findings of this study should be used to begin conversations about existing gender inequalities in the field of athletic training. Specific organizations may use the structure of this study to measure their own employees' perceptions to see where improvements may be made in regards to gender equality.