Seeing gender and its consequences

Every MPA student learns about organization theory but too few learn to “see” gender, both within the public service workforce and among clientele of the agency. Because organizations employ gendered structures and processes, it is incumbent on faculty to teach students not just about organizational architecture, but also how to identify the architectural elements that differentially influence women and men. Using a critical gender lens, we demonstrate how this point of view illuminates organizational dynamics that are otherwise assumed to be “normal.” With gender silence, inequities are perpetuated. A framework for incorporating gender cognizance in teaching is provided.