The relationship of the career barriers of women teachers with their perceptions of professional social support and hopelessness level: evidence from Turkey

In this study, career barriers, perceptions of professional social support and hopelessness levels of female teachers were examined. Gender-related barriers faced by female teachers in rising to senior managerial positions were considered as carrier barriers; social connections of women with work environment as perception of professional social support; and the negative expectations for the future as hopelessness. The study group consisted of 466 teachers selected through non-proportional random sampling. The data of the study were collected by using Career Barriers Scale, Teacher Professional Social Support Scale and Beck Hopelessness Scale. The results show that all female teachers accept the presence of career barriers. On the other hand, the results of the study were interpreted separately according to female teachers who want and do not want to be managers. The women who want to become managers need more social support and experience more hopelessness. Also, it was revealed that career barriers are associated with professional social support perception and hopelessness; and career barriers significantly predict the social support perception and hopelessness. These finding points out that gender stereotypes are still effective in the teaching profession and have negative consequences for women teachers.