There is an increase in female officials into military organizations identified as masculinity not only in terms of sex ratio, but also in terms of work identity. Under the context, this study starts with the recognition that women will be suffered fr...
There is an increase in female officials into military organizations identified as masculinity not only in terms of sex ratio, but also in terms of work identity. Under the context, this study starts with the recognition that women will be suffered from negative evaluation based on sex role stereotypes and sexist treatment, in spite of female participation in military organizations, without any changes in prevailed gender role stereotypes, appreciating masculinity. Based on the recognition, this study addresses the following questions; To what extent is sexist recognition shared in military organizations? To what extent are measures for gender equality accepted in military organizations dominated by masculinity? How are female military officials perceived in comparison to male military officials? In what ways do the gender differences in perception of female military officials exist? What are their gendered implications?
In order to do so, this study conducts survey with 351 military officials in military organizations consists of the army, the navy, the air force and Department of National Defense. Findings are the follow. Firstly, regarding gender role stereotypes, perception of measures for gender equality, and ability of female military officials, there are big perception gaps between female and male military officials. In particular, male show a strongly gender typed perception in comparison between men and women. They show the fact that gender typed evaluation is still tenacious, in spite of change in social recognition of gender role, gender sensitive education, women's advancement in diverse sphere and so on. Secondly, gender difference in recognition of measures for gender equality is relatively low in comparison to gender stereotypes. However, concerning affirmative action, male show comparatively negative perception. That is mainly because of the nature of affirmative action as a redistributive measure impling zero sum relations between female and male. Thirdly, men show relatively positive perception of cultural adaptation of female military official to masculine culture, whereas female show difficulties of adaption to the masculine culture. Lastly, male identify the main role of female military officials as supporters or assistants.
Naturally, they do not think any relation between power(or decision making) and female military officials. Gendered implications of the findings are deeply discussed.