NAVIGATING New Horizons: Life Narratives of Women Scholar-Cadettes in Maritime EDUCATION

Abstract

In many parts of the world, discrimination against women in education continues to persist. The present study tells stories of the experiences of women scholar-cadettes navigating in a male-dominated field. Using narratology as research design, this explored the narratives of women pursuing careers in maritime education, their educational and professional journeys within a male-dominated field, and how their narratives reflect broader societal changes in gender roles in education in maritime. The participants of the present study were five second year female students enrolled in a maritime program in one of the maritime schools in Davao City. The participants were selected through purposive sampling with ages ranging from 20-21 years old. Their stories highlight narratives of discrimination, resilience, support systems, and the balancing of personal and professional aspirations. Despite facing gender biases and physical demands, these women demonstrate determination and adaptability, driven by financial practicality and personal ambition. Moreover, findings of this study have shown that the increasing presence of women in maritime industry, as perceived by the participants, resonates positively to their reflections in the way society views the capacity of women to thrive in various workplaces, even those that are traditionally male dominated.