The Role of Networks, Mentors and the Law in Overcoming Barriers to Organizational Leadership for Women with Children

Abstract

Having dependents is an important family status variable in the larger scheme of social differentiators that account for sex differences in careerrelated outcomes. In this study, we are interested in whether men or women benefit more from having access to networks when they have dependents. Prior studies have shown that mentoring and networking are major components of professional development that lead to career advancement. We are also interested in whether the outcome differs for those men and women who report having mentors.