Title: To keep yourself to unwritten rules: Military womens experiences in an organization of male dominationAuthor: Frida Linehagen

The Swedish Armed Forces have traditionally been exclusively male, and risking life defending the country against the military attack by a foreign power has always been a privilege of a man. Over the last thirty-seven years the defence of our nation has become a shared responsibility between men and women. The Swedish Armed Forces has failed to fully integrate women into the organization. This is the reason why it is interesting to look into the issue taking into consideration the fact that there is still a significant gender imbalance today and plenty of room for progress remains.

The purpose of the study is first and foremost to create the understanding of the experience the female military personnel bring to the organisation, their abilities and how they perform in the realm dominated by men. Interviews have been chosen as a method for the study. Nine women of the Swedish Armed Forces were interviewed. The data was analyzed in light of Pierre Bourdieus theoretical concepts Cultural capital, Field, Habitus, Masculine domination and the related Symbolic violence.

The result of the study shows that the society puts demands to increase the equality between men and women in organizations where men dominate. At the same time the Armed Forces show inability and reluctance to address to the issue and create opportunities in order to bridge the gender gap. Women develop strategies not only to be able to contribute to the organisation they work for but also to advance in their military profession, to fit and rise to the top. For women in service it is a delicate balancing act between remaining a female and being fully accepted as a professional partner in the manly military culture.