Bevakningsbranschen, en bransch för alla? -En kvalitativ studie om väktare och ordningsvakters upplevelser och förståelse av kön i en mansdominerad bransch

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this essay is to investigate the importance of gender in the security guard occupation and also to investigate what gender-marked notions about the security industry that exist among the respondents. Furthermore, the purpose is to investigate the respondents' experience of the impact that gender has on the working group. Previous research on police officers shows that within the police force there are perceptions of how one should be and act that are related to notions of the biological sex. Furthermore, research shows that the ideal of masculinity is central to the profession, as there are preconceived notions that a police officer needs to have certain masculine qualities. Through six qualitative semi-structured interviews, we examined the respondents' experience of the importance of gender in their work as security guards as well as for the working group. We also examined the respondents' perceptions of the industry. The results show that all respondents have a positive image of the profession, where they are treated with respect regardless of gender. Some respondents describe that each gender has certain characteristics that distinguish them, but that it does not affect how well they can perform their work. Furthermore, it appears that all respondents' see the profession of security guards as a masculine industry. On the other hand, it is not masculine qualities that are described that are necessary in the profession. Rather softer qualities such as empathy are described as necessary.