Breaking Through the Imprisonment of the Glass Ceiling: Stories of Female Wardens
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67669/facci0024Keywords:
Female jail wardens, narrative inquiry, correctional administration, glass ceiling, work-life balance, BJMPAbstract
Gender socialization and the “glass ceiling” continue to impact female advancement in correctional leadership. While research exists on general correctional staff, there is a significant gap regarding the lived experiences of female jail wardens in local contexts. This study aims to explore the narratives and professional experiences of female wardens within the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to understand their professional journeys and personal challenges. Utilizing a qualitative narrative inquiry design, researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with purposively selected female wardens in Negros Occidental, Philippines. Data were analyzed using thematic narrative analysis to identify core experiences and leadership strategies. Findings revealed six major themes: Path to Service, From Struggle to Courage, Adoption is Excellence, Learning is Everyday, Women’s Empowerment, and A Working Mother’s Love. The results indicate that these women often entered the service through unexpected paths and faced significant hurdles, such as language barriers, geographic isolation, and the complexities of managing male-dominated environments. A primary challenge identified was the struggle to balance demanding 24-hour professional duties with the responsibilities of single parenthood. The study concludes that success in correctional leadership for women requires immense resilience, adaptive communication, and empathetic leadership. The findings suggest a need for institutional support systems, including flexible work arrangements and mental health resources, to accommodate the unique challenges faced by female wardens, particularly those managing dual roles as primary caregivers.
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References
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