NCJ Number
228480
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 48 Issue: 6 Dated: August-September 2009 Pages: 463-482
Date Published
August 2009
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study investigated gender differences in how women and men describe personal transformation processes.
Abstract
Results indicate that men and women narrated their positive transformation processes differently. Both utilized unique language and contextual techniques in explanations of positive changes in their lives and attribute positive changes to different kinds of factors. Women most often attributed positive change to relationship-related factors (RRF) in their lives while men most often attributed their positive change to a status-related factor (SRF) goal, such as employment or a specific event. The analysis of the narratives also evidenced gender differences in the way in which women and men experience these transformations, and the way in which they construct a positive identity throughout the process. Additionally, this research suggests a model to understand how women and men experience a positive role transformation from a stigmatized identity and discusses implications for reentry initiatives. Data were collected from 37 respondents with various stigmatized identities, including incarceration; the study adapted the basic methodology on a study conducted by Noreen Graf, University of Texas-Pan American. Tables, figure, notes, and references