Tokenism and the Concrete Ceiling: Navigating Racial and Gender Disparities in the Experiences of Black Female Police Officers

IF 3.9 1区 社会学 Q2 MANAGEMENT
Toyin Ajibade Adisa, Gbolahan Gbadamosi, Teena Lashmore, Shampa Roy-Mukherjee
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

In this qualitative study, we investigate the lived experiences of 21 Black female police officers in England and Wales, with a focus on the intersectional impacts of race and gender on their professional journeys. By employing “tokenism” as a theoretical lens, we investigate the prevalence of a “concrete ceiling”—a set of explicit and implicit barriers that obstruct the career progression of Black female police officers. The participants' narratives illuminate a complex interplay of racial segregation, gender discrimination, and a patriarchal organizational culture. These factors collectively contribute to their feelings of isolation, marginalization, and limited opportunities for advancement. Our study reveals that Black female police officers often face tokenistic treatment, leading to heightened visibility, increased pressure, and a sense of being constantly under scrutiny. The findings challenge the notion of an egalitarian culture within the police organizations and highlight an urgent need for systemic change. By emphasizing the unique challenges faced by Black female police officers, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the barriers to diversity and inclusion within the policing profession.

象征主义和具体的天花板:在黑人女警察的经历中导航种族和性别差异
在这项定性研究中,我们调查了英格兰和威尔士的21名黑人女警察的生活经历,重点关注种族和性别对她们职业生涯的交叉影响。通过使用“象征主义”作为理论视角,我们调查了“混凝土天花板”的普遍性——一套阻碍黑人女警察职业发展的显性和隐性障碍。参与者的叙述阐明了种族隔离、性别歧视和父权组织文化之间复杂的相互作用。这些因素共同造成了他们的孤立感、边缘化感和晋升机会有限感。我们的研究表明,黑人女警察经常面临象征性的待遇,导致更高的知名度,更大的压力,以及不断受到审查的感觉。调查结果挑战了警察组织内部平等主义文化的概念,并强调了迫切需要进行系统性变革。通过强调黑人女警察面临的独特挑战,本研究有助于更深入地了解警察职业中多样性和包容性的障碍。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
11.50
自引率
13.80%
发文量
139
期刊介绍: Gender, Work & Organization is a bimonthly peer-reviewed academic journal. The journal was established in 1994 and is published by John Wiley & Sons. It covers research on the role of gender on the workfloor. In addition to the regular issues, the journal publishes several special issues per year and has new section, Feminist Frontiers,dedicated to contemporary conversations and topics in feminism.
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