Since the job requirements of prison guards seem to be in direct contrast to the traditional norms for

women’s behavior, the question of if women can do the job arose. Expectations for women have
changed over the years but not so much that women’s ability to perform in jobs traditionally held by
men goes unquestioned, especially if the job entails the exercise of power and authority

Women guards, like women police officers studied by Hunt (1986), have integrated certain aspects of
the traditional female gender role into a traditional male occupational role to create new ways of
performing the hob. Jurik’s (1985) research shows that women and men guards do not differ
substantially in their attitiudes towards crome and punishment, but according to (???, ???) men and
women do behave differently on the job. Women guards use the strategy of forming friendly, pleasant
relationships with inmates. Some of them play a mothering, nurturing role vis-à-vis inmates, a role that
is in direct contrast to the macho, competitive role of male guards. However, there are also some
obstacles. The training assingments of men and women differ, and as women continue on the job, they
face persistent opposition and sexual harassment from male coworkers. In short, women do not receive
the kind of support from coworkers that is important to success on any job (Feldman, 1976).

Research on women in an occupation identified with men shows contradicting findings. Gross (year) has
found that women officers displayed “pseudo-masculinity” to be more successful on the job and more
accepted by their peers. But Bell (year) have found women officers with less aggressive personalities to
be more successful in defusing potentially violent situations. A possible reason for such disparity in the
evaluation of female officers is the lack of clear criteria for what constitutes good job performance.

Findings of a study by Go (2004) on the personality of Philippine private security guards suggest that
security guards regard their occupation as a survival job only. They persevere in the job mainly because
of limited other options and capabilities. Their working conditions are stressful, bearing negative events
on their personal lives, and negative emotions. Their notion of a good guard is one who is subservient,
conscientious, and not extroverted.