Accepted as Soldiers? Exploring Female Identity Performance and Whistleblowing Dynamics in the Norwegian Army

Abstract

This article explores the negotiation and performance of female social identities within the Norwegian Army, drawing on eight qualitative in-depth interviews with female soldiers. Using Goffman’s concept of identity performance, the study examines how these women adapt their behavior and expectations to conform to the normative soldier role. One important finding of the study is the potential impact of identity negotiation processes on the silencing of women soldiers’ voices, particularly when it comes to reporting misconduct or unethical behavior. By exploring how their identities are shaped within their institutional setting, the study complements our existing knowledge of how mechanisms of identity formation can contribute to the suppression of women soldiers’ voices. Moreover, the study suggests that understanding female identity performance and negotiations in the military is crucial for contextualizing and comprehending the potential discouragement of whistleblowing activities. It identifies the concept of identity performance as a valuable theoretical framework for understanding the shaping of women soldiers’ identities and the dynamic of whistleblowing activities within institutional contexts like the military.