Behind the badge and beyond: A phenomenological dive into the motherhood in police force

Abstract

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of eight police mothers in the Philippine National Police through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: the demanding journey of becoming a police officer impacting work-life balance ("Tusok Ulo"); the strain unpredictable policing puts on marital lives ("Unveiling Marital Experiences"); the transformative impact of motherhood on officers ("This is Motherhood"); the significant challenges of balancing both roles ("Challenges in Balancing Motherhood and Policing"); and the holistic coping strategies involving community, self-care, and faith ("Community, Self-Care, and Church: Coping as Police Mothers"). The findings highlight the unique challenges and coping mechanisms of police mothers.