blog 13

In movies, television, and stories police officers and correctional guards are mostly white men. Women do not have the stature or a lot of times the typical attitude of stereotypical police/ guards/officers. They are going to go through more problems than men who go through training. People in the field already (males) are going to be more cynical of females wanting to enter the field. Judging by peers is more detrimental to the worker is going to cause more stress and ultimately cause more women not to join the force.
When I think of female correctional officers or police I think of a more masculine women, I believe this is because every time I mention my major someone always asks ‘you want to be a cop?’ with a raised eyebrow. No I do not want to be a cop, I don’t think I have what it takes physically or mentally but why does everyone need to be shocked at the idea of it? Is it because I am small, because I wear dresses and make up? Or is it because of my gender alone? I don’t think I have the confidence that many women in the field have, plus I have no idea how I would handle the stress of the job. I don’t fit into the mold of stereotypical police officer, most women I know don’t but I know one woman who went through fire fighter training with mascara on so you never know who has that interest and passion.
There are definite images portrayed in the media of correctional officers in different prisons. Women’s prisons seem to have a more backwoods image whereas most men’s prisons seem very urban. I have no idea whether that is because of the population inhabiting the prison or not. Women’s prisons are just as dangerous because women inmates are just as problematic, they may or may not have as much force behind their violence but it is still a problem. Female officers are probably in way more danger in men’s prisons due to the fact that they are female and the inmates will go after them instead of a bigger masculine guard. I think women are just as capable obviously but in the eyes of men they are not. It is hard to work that kind of job when people who need to trust you can’t and it’s hard to work in a place where you are constantly doubted.