Context‐specific effects on reciprocity in mentoring relationships: ethical implications

Abstract

Reciprocity is fundamental to effective mentoring relationships. However, we argue that it is inappropriate, and perhaps unethical, to expect comparable levels of reciprocity in all mentoring relationships. Instead, contextual factors influence optimal levels of reciprocity. Foremost is the developmental stage of the protégé, with less mature, relatively inexperienced protégés generally less capable of forming and maintaining a reciprocal relationship with their mentors than are more mature, relatively experienced protégés. We discuss three examples of contextual variables that can affect appropriate levels of reciprocity—the academic research apprenticeship, gender, and culture—and argue that mentors’ expectations of reciprocity necessarily must be adjusted in order to achieve ethical mentoring within these contexts.

Acknowledgments

We thank Anna Leon‐Guerrero, Brad Johnson, Carol Mullen, and two anonymous reviewers for their feedback on earlier versions of this manuscript. Correspondence concerning this article can be directed to any of the authors.