The Explorer Islamabad: Journal of Social Sciences ISSN: 2411-0132(E), 2411-5487(P) Vol-1, Issue (8):271-275 www.theexplorerpak.org
ASCRIBED STATUS: A SOCIO CULTURAL DOGMA ON ADOPTION OF A NON-NORMATIVE PROFESSION Bushra Rahman , Mahwish Zeeshan Department of Anthropology, PMAS- Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi Corresponding Author: Bushra Rahman PMAS- Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi Bushi.uaar@gmail.com Abstract: Professions adopted by the individuals in a society are marked by a normative pattern, especially when it comes to women. The paper focused on women associated with the profession of policing specifically female constables who play a significant role in protecting the human rights of minorities especially women and making the department unquestionable by gender mainstreaming. To maintain law and order by holding transparent investigations when it comes to cases related to women is only attainable by inclusion of women in the department. The study focused on addressing the issues faced by lady constables since the very department is male dominated. The study also examined the status of lady constables in our cultural setup. Chakwal Police Line was selected as the locale for gathering data from 48 female constables through a saturated survey. The research design revolved around the qualitative and quantitative models. The quantitative data collected was analyzed through SPSS while the qualitative data was analyzed under anthropological light. Our society has stereotypically approved of a set of professions suitable for women; those who step out of that set circle are often treated as a taboo and discouraged. The study reveals that women constables face various issues in adoption of this profession and the perception of people held for them are discouraging.
Key Words: Police, Lady Constables, Socio-cultural, Ascribed status, Non-normative INTRODUCTION It is considered as the responsibility of a state to protect the rights of masses and to use force to maintain law and order. The word police was derived from the Greek word “POLITIA” that control the conditions of law in a state. It was during the 19th century when the gates of this profession were opened for women. Initially they were enrolled as prison matrons in the United States and England. Then they were upgraded to posts in the internal departments of New York Police Department and subsequently in other large city agencies. With the passage of time their role and responsibilities increased, which played an integral role in increasing the induction of ladies in the field (Weisburd, et al. 2006). Police has different responsibilities; majorly focusing on keeping law and order in the country and assist the public in case of some difficulty (UNODC 2011). It is generally perceived in our country that it is inefficient performance of this particular field that has affected the overall justice system of the country. Investigation of cases and maintaining peace are the key duties of this department, thus their performance can be measured by these two activities. The main duties of the police department
is crime prevention and investigation of their cases (Jamal 2011). The general duties further include protecting the life and property of all individuals and families living under a state. The challenges of the department have transformed with the advancement of technology since they now face a different face of criminal world which requires a higher level of motivational skills, expertise and modern techniques to meet these challenges and make the lives of people secure and safe (Skupstina 2008). The post of women police in Pakistan was created during the British colonial rule, when seven constables and a head constable were recruited in 1939, to control the female agitators during a farmer’s movement in Punjab. The next significant mile stone for women police came after the creation of Pakistan in 1952, when twenty (25) constables, two (2) head constables and an ASI were recruited into the department. Perhaps the most considerable achievement, regarding the contribution and participation of women police, was made in 1994. The first women police station in Pakistan was established in Rawalpindi and was followed by similar setups in Abbotabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Multan, Karachi and Larkana. Today there
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are over 3,700 women inducted in the police, while there are 18 women police stations established throughout the country (Ahmad, et al. 2012). Achieved status is a position earned by choice; through effort and abilities while ascribed status is a position bestowed upon a person, not involving choice and efforts but is based on identities like race, ethnicity and social background. Being a “Lady police” even though is an achieved status also has an ascribed status attached to it. Since our society is male dominant being a female has various consequences. The types of professions considered appropriate and socially acceptable help attain good status within the society, however stepping outside the usual circle of professions has its predispositions. Women are often discouraged at home and workplace for choosing professions beyond the cultural acceptance female policing has never been truly encouraged, and is not perceived a profession good enough for ladies since in our society females are seen in roles that are not too dominating. Ladies are not judged by their professionalism, career orientation or educational achievements rather they are perceived to be appropriate by the extent of their beauty, fragileness and ability to comprise. These types of stereotypes hinder the ladies to join this field. Initially it was a difficult job for the women to survive because from the beginning it was a male dominating profession and the nature of this job was considered almost impossible for ladies. But as the participation of women enhanced, it was not possible for the males to discourage them and to not entertain as per the new rules (Dick and Cassell 2004). Sexual harassment is more likely to take place in a male-dominated society. In addition to addressing sexual harassment with those perpetrating it, hiring more women is another approach to reducing exposure to liability in this area. Women’s active participation, including in high level and decision-making capacities, also results in shifts in the organization’s culture, bringing diversified skills and leadership styles (Winnipeg 2014). The issues in the job are not limited which affected the performance of this department but in the observation mostly other side of story is ignored completely. If issues like training, technology and resources are not extended as per the need then it is hard to face the today’s criminals which are equipped with latest weapons ( Stephens and Long 2000). The studies and conducted to explain Stress due to insufficient personal time, Seeing criminals going free, Lack of recognition for good work,
Having to go to court, Having to deal with the media, Meeting deadlines, Working overtime, Dealing with crisis situations, Lack of opportunity for advancement, Competition for advancement Inadequate salary, Delivering a death message or bad news are the primary causes of stress among police constables (Sundaram and Kumaran 2012). Such a view does not take into account the extreme difficulty for policewomen, who are in the minority, to challenge the dominant male culture and to try to introduce change to traditional police practices from a position of relative powerlessness. Although it was not an easy task to challenge the established power players as due to their experience they created hurdles as much as they can It must however be taken into account that singling women out for “special” treatment may in fact expose them to greater marginalization and possibly even hostility and resentment from male colleagues and police unions (Finnane 2002). Furthermore, Lady Police struggled a lot to establish itself in the department in case of performance and attitude. Later in the field they faced tough challenges as well, most of the workers in the department were males and they were not ready to cooperate as they used to do with male workers (Prokos and Padavic 2002). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study locale is Police line, Chawkal. In 1881 by the British government, Chakwal is given the status of tehsil headquarter. For more than a century it functioned as a subdivision of district Jehlum and got the status of district in 1985. Chakwal covers an area of 6524 km2 and is subdivided into 5 tehsils such as Chakwal, Keller Kahar, Chua Saidan Shah, Talagang and lava tehsils. There are five subdivisions and sixty eight union councils of Chakwal. Eleven police stations exist; these are responsible to carry law and order in the district. Data is collected by using qualitative and quantitative techniques. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table.1: Problems rose by Family in Adoption of their Profession
Problems from Frequency Percenta family ge Yes 36 75 % Total 12 25 % Table 1 shows the results on problems faced by No respondents from their family to adopt this profession. Total number of respondent was 48. From these respondent (36) 75% lady constables had faced a number of problems from their family in joining police department and only (12), 25 %
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lady constable’s family showed their contentment. The reservations of families were that police department is a male dominant department where females are not respected. But ‘’ Female recruits may in fact be more accurate in their estimation of the operational police role with regard to its law and order content than longer serving female officers’’ (Christie 1996). These were considered as sign of cursed. The families that showed positivity in adoption of this profession are due to their low level of education and poverty which allows them to get inducted in this field to generate some monetary resources. Respondents faced problems from their families since they were belonging to very back ward area and the people of the vicinity were not holding a good opinion of police.
constituted 23 % said that their male’s colleagues hold a good perception and attitude towards them whereas 37 respondents, 77 % complained about the bad attitude of their colleagues. ‘’The potential abuse and actual abuse of such authority remain both a central problem for police agencies and a central public policy concern’’(Weisburd 2001). Mostly their colleagues had a non accommodating attitude towards lady constables. They considered them corrupt and characterless. They held the opinion that in a male dominating society, not much respect is given to females. They often faced harassment from their male colleagues. There were a very few women who were satisfied by their male colleagues.
Table.2: Societal opinion on Lady Constable
Society Behavior Frequency Percentage Stressing 32 67 % Relieving 16 33 % Total 48 100 % Table 04 shows results on the mental stress and depression faced by lady constables due to the behavior of the society. 32 lady constables i.e. 67 % said that generally their behavior towards them is discouraging and stressing whereas only 16 lady constables i.e. 33% said that the behavior of the society is encouraging and relieving for them. Job stress is one of the most common afflictions among police personnel; perhaps one of the most stress prone occupations is that of police profession. Due to worse behavior mostly lady constables were victim of depression and mental peacefulness. Cases of mental stress resulting from harassment at work place and familial conflicts may even lead to disastrous consequences. ‘’Police officers have one of the highest suicide rates in the nation, probably the Highest’’ (Constant 1984).
Society Opinion Frequency Percentage Good 14 30 % Bad 34 70 % Total 48 100 % Table 02 showed the society’s opinion and people’s attitude towards the presence of ladies in police department. Out of 48 lady constables 14, 30 % lady constables said that the society has a good opinion about them and 34, 70 % lady constables said that the society had developed bad perception about them. “Not just in Pakistan in many developing countries, the police are plagued with problems such as inefficiency, corruption, and an insular police culture, which hinders performance and creates negative public perceptions’’ (Banerjee, et al. 2008). Though, there existed a small proportion of people who held good perception of lady constables, yet major segment of the Society consider their presence in police department as a curse. Some of the respondents replied that police department has good fame in our society. Though, Teaching and medical professions are considered very noble for women. Some respondent said that they believe that women should work with men alongside in every walk of life that is why it does not matter that whether it is police or any other profession. Table.3: Behavior of Male Colleagues
Colleagues Frequency Percentage Behavior Accommodating 11 23 % Not 37 77 % Accommodating Total 48 100 % Table 03 showed the behavior, attitude and perception of male police constables (Colleagues) towards lady constables. 11respondent that
Table.4: General Societal Behavior
Table.5: Domestic Environment and Immediate Social Circle
Environment Frequency Percentage Situation Friendly and 20 42 Encouraging Suspicious and 28 58 Discouraging Total 48 100 % Table 05 shows the situations of environment both in society and family. Out of 48 respondents only 20 respondents, 42 percent told about the availability of friendly and peaceful social and domestic environment. On the contrary, 28 respondents, 58 percent complained on suspicious and discouraging behaviors of their family and friends. Since lady constables have not much time for their family,
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there exists some friction in family relations. Most people feel that the nature of job and odd timings of duty leads to suspiciousness among family and discouragement from society. Since our cultural norms does not approve of women working late outside or going out after dark, it gets a tabooed impression. As this profession is largely dominated by males which discourage ladies to choice this field for their career, that’s why there are only 0.89 percent ladies are part of police of total strength of police in Pakistan. CONCLUSION Police constabulary is a stressful and full time job. During their job there is no escape from handling tough situations. There is no other way to compete the hard core criminals which is not an easy job for the ladies due to cultural and physical differences in the upbringing and training in the job. Women have to face a lot of difficulties in their job since they have to face criminals, dacoits, thefts, and murderers. Since women are not considered strong enough hence females constables are often used for official working, arresting a female culprit, house search and for day duty. The study Society, community and also their families suggests that it is mostly not the nature of job, rather the social acceptance on the part of their families particularly and the society generally who have not moved from the stereotyped perception of police. The very status though achieved by a woman is tagged as an ascribed status for being associated with the very police department. There is not yet enough room in our normative structure to accommodate these women who are doing their best often, yet discouraged by their very family and friends. Harassment within the department, cooperation from male colleagues, familial support and confidence and general positive attitude of public needs to be addressed when it comes to acceptance of new professions by the women of today. REFERENCES Ahmad, Gulmina Bilal, Yahya Ahmad, and Sundas Syeda 2012 Male Police Perception of Women Police In Pakistan. Individualland. Banerjee, Abhijit , Raghabendra Chattopadhyay, Esther Duflo, Daniel Keniston 2008 Police Performance and Public Perception in Rajasthan, India. http://www.povertyactionlab.org/evaluatio n/police-performance-and-publicperception-rajasthan-india
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