Final answer:
Cross-race mentoring relationships can sometimes be uncomfortable due to potential cultural misunderstandings or societal biases, despite being associated with professional advancement for women and people of color.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking which type of mentoring relationships sometimes leave both parties feeling uncomfortable. Cross-race mentoring relationships (option b) can sometimes present challenges for both the mentor and mentee due to potential cultural misunderstandings or societal biases. While research suggests that women and individuals from underrepresented racial/ethnic populations often do not lack access to mentors, they frequently lack mentors that share their same gender, race, or ethnicity. This is largely because many senior roles are primarily filled by White males. Accordingly, same-gender or same-race/ethnicity pairings tend to report better psychosocial outcomes, such as increased support. However, opposite gender or different race/ethnicity mentorships are linked with greater career progression and financial gains for women and people of color. Hence, the discomfort in cross-race mentorships could stem from a clash of expectations related to personal support versus professional advancement.