Presentation Information
[P-10-03]Gender Disparity and Mental Health in Policing: Exploring Indonesia's Women Police Officers' Perspectives in a Male-Dominated Field
*Canalya Amira Azhar, Sherly Saragih Turnip, Fitri Fausiah (Universitas Indonesia(Indonesia))
Keywords:
police,women police officer,mental health,gender disparity,Indonesia
Background
The World Economic Forum (2024) reported that gender parity progressed very slowly and will only be reached in over 130 years. Until today, certain professions are perceived as masculine which created male-dominated fields. In Indonesia, one of the professions is police officer. Despite similar job challenges faced by both genders in this profession, women police officers tend to meet additional challenges due to society's stereotypes about men and women.
Objective
This study explores gender differences in the perception of mental health among police officers in Indonesia.
Method
To study police officers' perceptions, we conducted three focus group discussions (FGDs) in three different cities (Padang, Jakarta, and Makassar). Fifty-five police officers from different ranks and divisions participated in the FGDs. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data from FGDs.
Result
The thematic content analyses show that gender disparity is common in regions farther from the city, where the gendered division of labour is more prominent in society. They perceived women police officers as only suitable for indoor or administrative tasks, as they are more patient and softer than men. This study also shows that male police officers perceived emotion regulation and reaching out for help are not important for mental health and only make them weak. On the contrary, female police officers are more open-minded and positively perceive it. There are also different views regarding family, where women police officers take more jobs in nurturing, while men lead their families.
Discussion
This study highlighted gender differences in mental health among police officers in Indonesia. Despite their choice to work in a male-dominated job, the stereotypes about gender roles are still highly influencing women police officers. Consequently, those stereotypes also influence their career pathways and mental health
The World Economic Forum (2024) reported that gender parity progressed very slowly and will only be reached in over 130 years. Until today, certain professions are perceived as masculine which created male-dominated fields. In Indonesia, one of the professions is police officer. Despite similar job challenges faced by both genders in this profession, women police officers tend to meet additional challenges due to society's stereotypes about men and women.
Objective
This study explores gender differences in the perception of mental health among police officers in Indonesia.
Method
To study police officers' perceptions, we conducted three focus group discussions (FGDs) in three different cities (Padang, Jakarta, and Makassar). Fifty-five police officers from different ranks and divisions participated in the FGDs. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data from FGDs.
Result
The thematic content analyses show that gender disparity is common in regions farther from the city, where the gendered division of labour is more prominent in society. They perceived women police officers as only suitable for indoor or administrative tasks, as they are more patient and softer than men. This study also shows that male police officers perceived emotion regulation and reaching out for help are not important for mental health and only make them weak. On the contrary, female police officers are more open-minded and positively perceive it. There are also different views regarding family, where women police officers take more jobs in nurturing, while men lead their families.
Discussion
This study highlighted gender differences in mental health among police officers in Indonesia. Despite their choice to work in a male-dominated job, the stereotypes about gender roles are still highly influencing women police officers. Consequently, those stereotypes also influence their career pathways and mental health