About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

26 Women & Crim. Just. 1 (2016)

handle is hein.journals/wwcj26 and id is 1 raw text is: Women & Criminal Justice, 26:1-19, 2016 *W Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC T RXoutledge ISSN: 0897-4454 print/1541-0323 online 8 Taylor&Francis Group DOI: 10.1080/08974454.2015.1067175 Masculine, Feminine, or Androgynous: The Influence of Gender Identity on Job Satisfaction Among Female Police Officers Angela A. Swan Justice Studies, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA Research shows the experience of female police officers differ from their male coworkers as a result of factors related directly to gender. The current study explores the relationship between gender identity and job satisfaction among 100 female police officers using the Bem Sex Role Inventory and Job Descriptive Index scales. Correlations between demographics, gender, and job satisfaction were investigated. The results found that policewomen with masculine gender identity experienced less job satisfaction than those identifying as androgynous. Keywords gender identity, gender, job satisfaction, police officer, policewomen Research has consistently shown female police officers to have a unique and different experience in police work than male officers as a result of factors relating directly to their gender (Garcia, 2005; Morash & Haarr, 2012; Rabe-Hemp, 2008; Schulze, 2011). Women have worked alongside men as police officers for decades but still face gender issues that preclude them from achieving equality in career advancement, prevent bonding in workplace relationships (Archbold & Schulz, 2008), and relegate them to stereotypically feminine tasks (Martin & Jurik, 2007; Rabe-Hemp, 2009). Female officers also feel that they must alter their image to appear more favorable and competent to male coworkers (Morash & Haarr, 2012; Rabe-Hemp, 2009). Gender identity is an individual's personal ascription to, or rejection of, traditional gender roles and norms (Rudman & Phelan, 2010; West & Zimmerman, 2009). Gender identity is implicitly and automatically applied to self and others, often without the conscious realization one is doing so (Rudman & Phelan, 2010). Society places a particular emphasis and value on men and women presenting particular traits and behaviors believed more fitting for each gender. Consequently, men and women can be rewarded or punished for accepting or rejecting these norms. This can be poignant in settings that are traditionally male dominated, such as law enforcement (Gachter, Savage, & Torgler, 2011; Morash & Haarr, 2012). Research exploring gender norms in police culture has found that women who display traditionally male behaviors (acting more aggressively and assertively) are isolated or harassed. However, women conforming to feminine gender roles are treated differently though not more Correspondence should be sent to Angela A. Swan, PhD, Justice Studies, Grand Canyon University, 3300 West Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017, USA. E-mail: angie.swan@my.gcu.edu

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most