Developing a Well-balanced Military Identity among Female Military Personnel

This narrative study explored the individual experience of a military woman in the development of a balanced military identity. The purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding of the challenges women in the military face in achieving a healthy balance between their gender and professional...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPolish sociological review Vol. 225; no. 1; pp. 69 - 82
Main Author KHRABAN, TETIANA
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Polish Sociological Association 2024
Polskie Towarzystwo Socjologiczne
Subjects
Gender Studies
Security and defense
gender identity
armed forces
femininity
professional identity
gender stereotypes
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Summary:This narrative study explored the individual experience of a military woman in the development of a balanced military identity. The purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding of the challenges women in the military face in achieving a healthy balance between their gender and professional identities. A qualitative content analysis of the narratives of a servicewoman serving in a combat unit proved that she strives to retain traditionally feminine traits in order to maintain her female identity while forming a balanced military identity. But for the harmonious coexistence of gender and professional identity in a unified self-concept, femininity has the potential to change the principles and characteristics of the profession. These changes are aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the team. The members of the military team are not opposed to the changes in the professional world brought about by femininity, as they are determined to improve their performance in a situation where their health and even their lives depend on it.
ISSN:1231-1413