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“Suck It Up, Buttercup”: Understanding and Overcoming Gender Disparities in Policing

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  • Andréanne Angehrn

    (Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada)

  • Amber J. Fletcher

    (Department of Sociology and Social Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada)

  • R. Nicholas Carleton

    (Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada)

Abstract

Women police officers report elevated symptoms of mental disorders when compared to men police officers. Researchers have indicated that the occupational experience of policing differs greatly among men and women. Indeed, police culture is characterized by hegemonic masculinity, which appears to negatively impact both men and women. The current study examined the contrast between the experiences of men and women police officers. Police officers ( n = 17; 9 women) in Saskatchewan participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic network analysis identified themes related to the experience of policing for both men and women police officers. There were six organizing themes identified in relation to the global theme of Gendered Experiences: (1) Discrimination; (2) Sexual Harassment; (3) Motherhood and Parental Leave; (4) Identity; (5) Stereotypically Feminine Attributes; and (6) Hegemonic Masculinity. Pervasive gender norms appear detrimental for both men and women police officers, as well as the communities they serve. The current results, coupled with the emerging disposition for progress expressed by police services, offer opportunities to develop tailored and focused interventions and policies to support police officers.

Suggested Citation

  • Andréanne Angehrn & Amber J. Fletcher & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2021. "“Suck It Up, Buttercup”: Understanding and Overcoming Gender Disparities in Policing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7627-:d:596439
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. R. Nicholas Carleton & Tracie O. Afifi & Tamara Taillieu & Sarah Turner & Julia E. Mason & Rosemary Ricciardelli & Donald R. McCreary & Adam D. Vaughan & Gregory S. Anderson & Rachel L. Krakauer & Eli, 2020. "Assessing the Relative Impact of Diverse Stressors among Public Safety Personnel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-25, February.
    2. Rosemary Ricciardelli & Stephen Czarnuch & R. Nicholas Carleton & James Gacek & James Shewmake, 2020. "Canadian Public Safety Personnel and Occupational Stressors: How PSP Interpret Stressors on Duty," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Susan Ehrlich Martin, 1999. "Police Force or Police Service? Gender and Emotional Labor," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 561(1), pages 111-126, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jill A. B. Price & Caeleigh A. Landry & Jeff Sych & Malcolm McNeill & Andrea M. Stelnicki & Aleiia J. N. Asmundson & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2022. "Assessing the Perceptions and Impact of Critical Incident Stress Management Peer Support among Firefighters and Paramedics in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Rosemary Ricciardelli & R. Nicholas Carleton & Barbara Anschuetz & Sylvio Gravel & Brad McKay, 2022. "Testifying after an Investigation: Shaping the Mental Health of Public Safety Personnel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-8, October.

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