Women's reluctance to apply for promotions may be understood in terms of their experience in their world and their value systems. Many may not seek promotions, recognizing that management may represent an organizational role in which they will be uncomfortable due to their values. Further, women may have a very different understanding of achievement and success than men and may link their notions of achievement with social acceptability, while men may link success with leadership capacity and intelligence. Some women want to have both relational and independence needs met through family life and paid employment. Nonetheless, men have dominated management positions and there is growing concern among males and females in the Probation Service about the increasing prevalence of coercion and control over the traditional relational concerns of social work. One response to women's underrepresentation in management is to implement reform measures within an equal opportunity framework. In addition, education about women's issues is essential. Women also need to form alliances with and provide support for men who are similarly struggling to retain communal values and strategies. 4 references