Examining United States Naval Academy alumni perspectives on relational gender stereotyping

Women first entered the Naval Academy in 1976 and the first class containing females graduated from the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in 1980. There is a continuing emphasis on the need to fully understand and utilize women's leadership skills in the United States military. The researcher investigated gender stereotyping and the perceptions of Naval Academy male alumni on the possible effects of gender stereotyping on leadership and the environment of women in combat. The investigator evaluated the perceptions of gender stereotyping by a sample population of Pre-1980 (no women graduates) and Post-1980 (women graduates) class members of the Naval Academy. The purpose of the study was to investigate and compare gender stereotypical perceptions among male USNA Alumni on the subject of gender roles associated with military leadership positions. From a business perspective, a predilection to gender stereotyping by USNA male alumni may influence the success of continued initiatives supporting gender integration, recruitment, retention, and leadership development at the USNA and other male-dominated environments.