Do you think women would be good at security jobs in Surrey?

[Emily-o]

It may seem a bizarre title I know, but the stereotypical view of a security officer, to me, is a fairly young fit man. In my head I have always thought that criminals may be slightly deterred when they could be up against someone who is a similar size to them, if not bigger!

I was quite inspired reading a story in the Mirror (http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/jobs/2009/10/08/jobs-up-for-grabs-in-this-ever-growing-security-industry-115875-21730853/) about a woman in Guildford whose career was in the security market. She works in Tunsgate Square Shopping Centre and although it is quite tranquil she does have her fair share of shop lifters to deal with! The job she described defied my expectations and she claimed she has never had to use violence, always managing to resolve issues with verbal communication. Perhaps she is just very good at controlling the situation!

I wouldn’t be surprised if petty crime is increasing during this recession. Apparently there are thousands of security roles being made because of it! Some of which may be jobs in Surrey (http://www.careers-jobs.eu/surrey-jobs). However, out of these new jobs apparently only 11-19% are taken up by women. Do you think women would be good in a security role? I am guessing that any new employee would receive the appropriate training on how to handle a tricky situation if one did occur – and women can be tougher then they look! Perhaps it is the stereotype that has put women off of applying, or maybe there is even some sexual discrimination when applying for security roles?

I would love to hear anyone else’s thoughts – on whether security could be a challenging but rewarding career for a woman!

[Josie]

The first thing that came to head when I read this was a club I went to in London once when I was younger! There was a really butch security woman and she was so rough when searching your bags and whatever! So they do exist a plenty maybe just more in the cities than in the suburbs?

I have not seen any in Surrey to date if I am honest - have you?

It would be a good thing to get into - I think you are paid quite well and given full training etc so it could potentially be a good thing?

I have worked for a security company before - but in the control room haha! No patrolling the floor for me hehe!

[Jessi]

Hi Emily-O


I think that many job roles across the world has been stereotyped for many years, not just security jobs.


I do agree that men are probably more suitable for the security industry as they are in most cases stronger that women, and they can protect themselves and others better, however being a police woman is not as far off to being a security guard, right? There are numerous females in various police stations across the world, so actually being a female security guard, could be considered as pretty normal???


I do believe that if it is your passion then pursue it, or even if there aren't any other jobs, then take it, at least some woman are putting in the effort, do you agree?


Also, with weapons becoming more advanced everyday, it really doesn't matter if you are male or female, a bullet kills, no question about it.


Jessi :)

[Josie]

HAha Hi Jessi - Im not sure that security guards get a weapon to tackle crime with lol! Its thier bare hands that are needed!

I do see what your saying though - why shouldn't it be a woman? Im some cases I have met women that are far stronger than the men out there! Gender has nothing to do with it, it a personal choice and a job that yu train long and hard for so you are prepared etc you know?

[Jessi]

Oops...I didn't think of that, but don't some security guards have weapons...almost like armed response??


I must agree, I have also seen women that are much stronger than men. With the necessary training, women could accomplish just as much.


However, I do think that men are more intimidating than women, so most criminals will not be as intimidated towards women that towards men...do you agree??


I'm just against it, cause I don't like gender affiliated jobs... lol!

[Josie]

Yeah I think these are very special security guards or something lol!

I think woman can definately do the job as well as men and I agree with you there should be equality! I can understand why they would restrict it in some areas though as you say men can be more intimidating! I guress it just depends on the nature of the place you are a guard in?

At the end of the day - women can do it and have the right too and I have seen a fair few so maybe its just a case of fewer women apply for these jobs?

[Jessi]

I agree... it is in most cases men that apply for these types of jobs... us women...we are in most cases to scared anyway... lol, but still I'll fight for equality... just because I can... he he he :)

[Josie]

I agree... it is in most cases men that apply for these types of jobs... us women...we are in most cases to scared anyway... lol, but still I'll fight for equality... just because I can... he he he :)

Naturally haha! And why not hey?

[Jessi]

I know... If we only fight for equality for certain jobs, they might be able to corner us by saying that we didn't care about the security jobs so why would we care about “this” one....


Always got to be on our toes... he he he!!! :D

[Josie]

Very very true!

I think there should be equality in all jobs across the sectors! Gender should not dictate pay or how you are treated in a role! If you can do it you can do it and that should be the end of it as far as I am concerned!

Why should a woman be paid less than a man if she can do the job just as well or better then him? It does seem a bit unfair does it not?

[Jessi]

I agree, like most high paying directors and GM's are mostly men and if there is a case of it being a female, she would get way less monthly income and incentives than the males... but President Obama, disagrees with this, he feels that men and woman should be paid equally when in if in the same job role in a company, there is no reason for men to earn more the women. I mean not all men support there families any more, you get 'super' women, that raise a family on there own... Hats off for them

[Josie]

I totally agree with that statement! Gone are the days where women stay at home and men are the main gbread winners! So why should they get higher paying salaries in thier jobs? Doesn't make sense deos it really?

Equality is the way forward in all aspects of work!

[Jessi]

My sentiment exactly. Hopefully all employers could start reviewing all salaries in a new prospective.


I can't see any real reason why men should earn more or even get put up top the hierarchy. Women are at times better at certain jobs (http://http://www.careers-jobs.eu/) than men, yet only few of us reap such benefits like good salaries and recognition for higher post within the company.

[Josie]

Crazy isn't it? I mean you would honestly think that times would have changed by now surely?

I can't bleive how in some ways we have advanced so much and yet in other situations such as this we are still stuck in the old ways!

Things need to change and we need to move forward!

[Jessi]

That's hitting it spot on. I can't agree more.

I mean we are a 1st world, but yet we are treating some situation as if it's 1920... lol

Hopefully one day, we can all over come these little problems that are truly holding us back from achieving greater things.

Women aren't meant to just be at home or in the kitchen... Surely they can see that we can achieve just as much as men and in some cases even more.

Over the years, all genders have crossed job roles, for instance not only women cook...the greatest chef's in the world are men??

Hairdressers are men?? Most gay, but we love them for it. :)

Don't you agree??

[Josie]

Yes and you even get some stay at home dads whilst the mummys go out to work!

Nothing is gender specific these days - it all depends on the situation and what works best in my opinion!

[Jessi]

I agree. Now lets just hope that this can be enforced by all companies... he he he.

[chaosfruitbat]

Just a quick note. The lady in Tunsgate is a very good at security and should be a role model to men and women alike.

[Lilly]

I think if someone has a passion for a particular job they will be good at it. A woman in a security job will use her head and obviously not run into the face of danger but will make the perps aware that you see them and sound an alarm to get in reinforcements.
If i was a security lady I would like to get a tazer gun, and taze the living daylights out of perps caught in the act of doing bad stuff. I think it will be fun...eek that is probably why I will get fired on Day 1 in that job!

[Weblinkplus]

Images of a female arnold swarzengger type with two massive multi tazers firing 500 rounds a second... Sounds like the plot of a new holywood blockbuster... the electonator...:D

[Josie]

Haha Weblinkplus that's funny!

I agree with Lilly anyone would be good at a job they had passion for! It makes you want to perform better! In Lilly's case i hope there are no tazers in the near vicinity in any job she does though haha!

[icymucha]

maybe not...