Final answer:
Both male and female academics are called by the same title in their respective roles, and these titles are not different based on gender. Assistant professors may strive for job security through tenure, and unethical behavior, such as spreading rumors, is damaging and unprofessional.
Step-by-step explanation:
An academic profession such as a lecturer or assistant professor is generally not differentiated by gender; both male and female academics holding these positions are referred to by the same title. In this context, a lecturer is often someone at the beginning of their academic career, leading lectures and sometimes seminars. An assistant professor, on the other hand, is often a tenure-track position where the individual is responsible for conducting and publishing research, teaching, and participating in academic service.
Assistant professors may concern themselves with job security, such as acquiring tenure—a long-term contract that provides a degree of job protection. For example, an associate professor lacking tenure might resort to unethical behavior, such as spreading rumors about peers, in a misguided effort to secure their position. Such actions are not condoned and generally considered damaging to the professional environment and the individual's reputation.