Cadet Beliefs, Attitudes and Interactions During the Early Phases of Sex-Integration [microform] / Lois B. DeFleur and David Gillman

Attitudes, beliefs, and interactions of male and female cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy during the first year of sex integration are discussed. Background for the integration process is given, including policy changes and implementation. A survey was undertaken of a match sample of men and women six months after the women entered the Academy. Some additional information was obtained from sample samples before and after the main survey. The focus of items was on daily activities, attitudes toward women in various roles, and reported interactions. Specific questions were about: squadron solidarity and pride; acceptance; understanding and fairness of officer supervision; attitudes toward women in general, admission of women to the academy, and women as military leaders; and informal interaction. Results show that women feel less accepted than males, and less understood, even though they felt supervisory officers were fair. Male students felt women didn't receive a fair share of assignments, but weren't sure that favoritism existed. They felt very uncomfortable with female cadets. Overall, after the early phases of integration cadet beliefs, attitudes, and interactions remained ambiguous and strongly oriented along traditional dimensions. Responses are presented in charts as appendices. (MSE)