Skip to main content

Tokenism and the Concrete Ceiling: Navigating Racial and Gender Disparities in the Experiences of Black Female Police Officers.

Adisa, T. A., Gbadamosi, G., Lashmore, T. and Roy-Mukherjee, S., 2025. Tokenism and the Concrete Ceiling: Navigating Racial and Gender Disparities in the Experiences of Black Female Police Officers. Gender, Work & Organization, 32 (4), 1654-1667.

Full text available as:

[thumbnail of OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE]
Preview
PDF (OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE)
Gender Work Organization - 2025 - Adisa - Tokenism and the Concrete Ceiling Navigating Racial and Gender Disparities in.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

421kB
[thumbnail of GWO - 2025 - Tokenism and the Concrete Ceiling  Navigating Racial and Gender Disparities in.pdf] PDF
GWO - 2025 - Tokenism and the Concrete Ceiling Navigating Racial and Gender Disparities in.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

421kB

DOI: 10.1111/gwao.13260

Abstract

In this qualitative study, we investigate the lived experiences of 21 Black female police officers in England and Wales, with a focus on the intersectional impacts of race and gender on their professional journeys. By employing “tokenism” as a theoretical lens, we investigate the prevalence of a “concrete ceiling”—a set of explicit and implicit barriers that obstruct the career progression of Black female police officers. The participants' narratives illuminate a complex interplay of racial segregation, gender discrimination, and a patriarchal organizational culture. These factors collectively contribute to their feelings of isolation, marginalization, and limited opportunities for advancement. Our study reveals that Black female police officers often face tokenistic treatment, leading to heightened visibility, increased pressure, and a sense of being constantly under scrutiny. The findings challenge the notion of an egalitarian culture within the police organizations and highlight an urgent need for systemic change. By emphasizing the unique challenges faced by Black female police officers, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the barriers to diversity and inclusion within the policing profession.

Item Type:Article
ISSN:0968-6673
Uncontrolled Keywords:concrete ceiling; discrimination; female police officers; gender; race
Group:Bournemouth University Business School
ID Code:40865
Deposited By: Symplectic RT2
Deposited On:24 Mar 2025 14:42
Last Modified:26 Jun 2025 11:03

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

More statistics for this item...
Repository Staff Only -