In recent years, the number of television crime dramas has skyrocketed. The public has been enthralled with watching agents from a variety of different branches of law enforcement solve violent crimes week after week. The success of these programs has rippled through the population so thoroughly that there has even been an increased demand for undergraduate level forensic science courses in many colleges today.
It may seem surprising, but in supporting positions perceived gender roles are more fully enacted in televised entertainment than in real life. For instance, only 11 percent of the roles cast for lawyers and attorneys in movies were filled by females. At the time, over 30 percent of the real-life lawyers and attorneys were women.
Although there are a wide variety of careers in criminal justice fields, it seems as though the vast majority of the ones that women fill are associated with stereotypical gender roles. In 2014, only about 10 percent of the total number of police officers in the United States were female. Of these, most are assigned to some sort of in office position that takes them out of actual patrol or investigative work.
Some TV dramas are taking aim to break down these barriers that are built up based upon gender stereotypes. One such crime drama is Rizzoli and Isles, in which the two leading roles are filled with female actresses. One of the characters, Jane Rizzoli (played by Angie Harmon), is a female homicide detective.
However, even during the show it is clear that the character is dealing with gender-based stereotypes associated with whether or not she is capable of handling her position. She has fought long and hard to earn the respect of her peers not because she is under qualified but because she is a female. In a fake ‘bio’ of Jane Rizzoli she discusses how she knows she is a member of a boys club and that she has had to prove herself again and again.
Within the show, Rizzoli is a character that goes against the majority of gender stereotypes that are generated in arguments against female police officers. Rather than being portrayed as a weak woman in over her head and in need of saving, Rizzoli is known for her no nonsense attitude and ability to kick butt when necessary. Furthermore, she is incredibly good at her job and is able to regularly outperform many of her colleagues.
This is certainly a step in the right direction in changing ideals about whether or not females are capable of performing in ‘line-of-fire’ criminal justice careers. The issues dealt with in Rizzoli and Isles exemplify factors of real emotional struggles people – male or female – in criminal justice fields face. Although many of the situations discussed in TV dramas are exaggerated for effect, they certainly help to address prominent issues in society today.
Whether it is in film or in real life there is a great need for women to become involved more heavily in the criminal justice field. Although there are still a number of critics, many studies and observations have shown that an equal mix of male and female officers does not detract to quality work, but actually improves it. Female officers have the ability to become a significant asset to any police precinct.
Guest writer, Brittni Brown is a recent graduate of The College of Idaho; She currently works for a local marketing startup . Connect with her via email at brittnijbrown09@gmail.com
