Do Male Workers Prefer Male Leaders? An Analysis of Principals’ Effects on Teacher Retention

61 Pages Posted: 24 Oct 2018 Last revised: 6 Aug 2024

See all articles by Aliza N. Husain

Aliza N. Husain

University of Virginia - The Curry School of Education

David A. Matsa

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Amalia R. Miller

University of Virginia - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: November 6, 2018

Abstract

Using a 40-year panel of all public school teachers and principals in New York State, we explore how female principals affect rates of teacher turnover—an important determinant of school quality. We find that male teachers are about 12% more likely to leave their schools when they work under female principals than under male principals. In contrast, we find no such effects for female teachers. Furthermore, when male teachers request transfers, they are more likely to be to schools with male principals. These results suggest that opposition from male subordinates could inhibit female progress in leadership.

Keywords: gender discrimination, coworker discrimination, turnover, glass ceiling, education workforce

JEL Classification: J16, J45, J71, M51

Suggested Citation

Husain, Aliza and Matsa, David A. and Miller, Amalia R., Do Male Workers Prefer Male Leaders? An Analysis of Principals’ Effects on Teacher Retention (November 6, 2018). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3259638 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3259638

Aliza Husain (Contact Author)

University of Virginia - The Curry School of Education ( email )

Charlottesville, VA 22903-2495
United States

David A. Matsa

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
United States
847-491-8337 (Phone)
847-491-5719 (Fax)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Amalia R. Miller

University of Virginia - Department of Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 400182
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4182
United States

HOME PAGE: http://people.virginia.edu/~am5by/

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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