Socio-Psychological Stigma to Join Women Police: A Case Study of Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Abstract

The research deals with cultural stigma attached with Pakistani women to join police service. Cultural value system in every society relay on sets of mutually defining tem1s, for example nonnallabnormal, able-bodied/disable-bodied, right/wrong and approved/disapproved, that largely determines local attitudes of acceptance or exclusion regarding particular categories of persons. Every society to some extent has its own world view that actually places the basis for the cultural rules and norms. These cultural norms sometime consciously and other than unconsciously shape the social structure of society as well as effect the psychological construction of its individuals. Culture always set separate identities for its members and demand them to act according to what is expected to them. These identities are built-up throughout acculturation that tells 'individuals the desired roles and responsibilities. In a single culture different group identities are made on the basis of some common attributes and cultural nonns allow them what to do and what not. Accepted and restIicted gender roles widely and strictly distributed through cultural orientation among the individuals of a society. The gender differences are created due to the biological detenninant ' sex' and not consider the individual's actual capacity and strength. It is culture that creates and label stereotyping behavior for males and females. Females are not allowed to practice some specific kind of behavior while the same males can do. These differences are intrinsically social and deeply working in the cognitive process of individual. Cognitive anthropology believe that cognitive growth is socially determined and people's cognition labeled certain attitudes as prejudice and stereotype to be act. It altematively create stigma and people do a negative response to celiain acts, either due to social restraints or religious. Stigma is working in society but it implement unconsciously through a socio-psychological process within individuals.