When it comes to the field of psychology, there has been a significant increase in the number of women pursuing careers and degrees in psychology. However, the same cannot be said for men in the field of school psychology which is a growing concern in the industry. In this blog post, we will discuss the current situation of the shortage of men in school psychology and explore its causes and consequences.
The gender gap in school psychology has been ongoing for years, with a majority of school psychologists being women. A 2019 report shows that men make up 47% of all employed psychologists. This gap is especially apparent in school psychology training programs where the number of male students in the field continues to decline.
There are several reasons why men may not be as drawn to the field of school psychology compared to women. One reason is that it is often perceived as a “caring profession,” and some men may not feel like they fit into that role. Additionally, the field is not as lucrative as other areas of psychology, and men may gravitate toward fields that offer higher earnings potential. Another factor could be the lack of representation of men in school psychology settings, which may lead to feelings of isolation and discouragement among male students and practitioners.
NASP has been working to address the gender gap in the field of school psychology.
The shortage of men in school psychology has several consequences. One issue is the limited perspective and diversity in the field. Male students may not receive adequate mentorship, and male students may underperform academically due to the lack of role models and representation in the field. This also leads to a deficit of male school psychologists who could offer their specific perspectives when dealing with male students. Additionally, a shortage of male school psychologists may contribute to gender bias in assessments, leading to the underestimation of issues that boys and male-identifying students may face.
The National Association of School Psychologists has been working to address the gender gap in the field of school psychology. One initiative is the NASP LGBTQIA2S+ interest group, which aims to create a supportive space for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals in the school psychology field, including men. Organizations such as MenTeach and the National Black Male Educators Association also provide resources and support to increase male representation in the profession. Employers may also play a role in promoting diversity by highlighting successful male school psychologists in their organizations.
We need to create support systems and mentorship programs for male school psychology students and professionals
In conclusion, the shortage of men in the field of school psychology has significant consequences, including a lack of diversity and representation, reduced academic performance among male students, and perpetuating gender bias. Factors that contribute to this deficit include the perception of the profession as a “caring profession,” the limited earning potential in the field, and a lack of representation in school psychology settings. We can work to address this problem by creating more support systems and mentorship programs for male school psychology students and professionals and highlighting successful male school psychologists as role models for future generations.
Photo by Hunters Race on Unsplash
Photo by Tamarcus Brown on Unsplash