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Sofia Bohomazova - Adjunct of the Adjuncture Program. National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine, Cherkasy (Ukraine)
ORCID 0009-0009-0918-7813
DOI - https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2025.2.11
Keywords: gender, gender equality, gender expectancies, professional behavior, security and defense sector personnel.
The article presents a theoretical and methodological analysis of the concepts of gender expectations and gender expectancies within the professional environment of the security and defense sector. Based on this analysis, the study reveals the interrelation among gender schemas, stereotypes, socialization practices, and the formation of professional behavior among specialists engaged in high-risk activities. It is demonstrated that gender expectations, understood as generalized cultural assumptions, and gender expectancies, understood as situational predictions of competence, determine perceptions of leadership, professional suitability, stress resilience, and role performance under crisis conditions. The mechanisms of their reproduction at the levels of primary, educational, media, and institutional socialization are outlined, as well as their influence on personnel decisions, organizational culture, motivation, and career advancement. The study emphasizes that gender stereotypes and biases contribute to vertical and horizontal segregation, reduce the effectiveness of decision-making, and hinder the rational use of human resources. It is concluded that ensuring gender equality in the security and defense sector is not only a matter of human rights but also a key condition for institutional resilience, effective teamwork, and the modernization of public administration. The necessity of strengthening institutional mechanisms, implementing gender-sensitive personnel policies, establishing systematic monitoring, and conducting further empirical research aimed at developing practical recommendations for overcoming gender biases and fostering an inclusive professional environment is substantiated.