The Influence Of Counsellor gender, Experience And Students Genderon Students' Perception Of The Counselloras A Helper

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to find out the influence of

counsellor gender, experience and students gender on students

perception of the counsellor's capacity to help them solve

some adjustment problems. One hundred and twenty senior

secondary two students (60 boys and 60 girls) participated in

the study. The students were divided into two groups. The

first group listened to an introduction of an experienced

male and female counsellor, while the second group listened

to an introduction of an inexperienced male and female

counsellor. Thereafter, students in both groups completed

the Counsellor Evaluation Scale (CES).

The results showed that irrespective of experience, both

male and fem~le counsellors were rated very high on the CES. ,"

It was found that type of students' concern rather than

counsellor gender largely influenced the perception of the

counsellor as a helper. In other words, the counsellor's

gender was not a critical factor in determining the level of

confidence the students reposed in the counsellor as a helper.

Among other recommendations, there should be no gender

discrimination in the deploYment of counsellors to schools.

Where possible, both male and female counsellors should be

posted to one school to give students opportunity to discuss

their concerns with the counsellor or their ehoice.

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