Gender, numbers and beyond: The case of criminology program in DOrSU, City of Mati, Philippines

Abstract

Access to and success in higher education is shaped by various factors, including, but are not limited to, gender, gendered identities, and gender-related subjectivities. While there has been rich literature in gender-higher education nexus, the utilization of gender analysis in specific gender-stereotyped degree programs such as Criminology, although widely offered in the entire country, remains understudied. Recognizing the impressive progress of enterprising and mainstreaming GAD norms in the Philippines compared to its peers in Asia, there remains a need to understand how gender sets in motion beyond rhetoric and how it entangles everyday practices. This study attempts to interrogate the Criminology program’s temporal development and social determinants from the lenses of gender through trend analysis and in-depth interview methods. We found that Criminology in DOrSU is significantly male-dominated since the program commenced operations in 2009. Although unsurprising, it is worth noting that females record a higher survival rate than males. The latent gender issues and coping strategies contributing to the program’s notable trend were also uncovered, providing a more comprehensive understanding of females and other non-masculine genders’ narrowed access to the program. To tighten the existing gender gap in Criminology, we recommend a policy reform that encourages gender-inclusive opportunities.