LEADERSHIP BY WOMEN IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE - THERE IS ROOM AT THE TOP

• NCJ Number: 65706
• Author(s): C S STROSNIDER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 103 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: SPECIAL PRICES FOR ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY - DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

Annotation

THIS DISSERTATION EXPLORES THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONS AND OFFERS SUGGESTIONS FOR INCREASING THE NUMBER OF WOMEN IN THESE JOBS.

Abstract

AT LEAST FOUR MAJOR BARRIERS PREVENT WOMEN FROM ENTERING INTO MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD: OBVIOUS MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT WOMEN'S ABILITIES AS MANAGERS AND LEADERS; PRESENT RECRUITMENT, HIRING, AND PROMOTION POLICIES; PRECONCEIVED INCOMPATIBILITIES BETWEEN CAREER AND FAMILY GOALS; AND THE INFORMAL STRUCTURE PROBLEM, I.E., THE LACK OF ROLE MODELS FOR WOMEN. ALSO, WOMEN'S NEGATIVE SELF-IMAGE PRESENTS A VERY REAL AND CONCRETE OBSTACLE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THEIR STATUS. ALTHOUGH DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT IS ILLEGAL, CHANGES IN INFORMAL ATTITUDES OF BOTH SEXES ARE REQUIRED TO OPEN MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE OCCUPATIONS AS WELL AS OTHER FIELDS. RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION INCLUDE (1) THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ANDROGYNOUS STYLE OF LEADERSHIP (A BLENDING OF SO-CALLED MASCULINE AND FEMININE BEHAVIORS TO PRODUCE A COMPLETE, WELL-BALANCED INDIVIDUAL UNENCUMBERED BY SEX-ROLE PRESCRIPTION); (2) THE ORGANIZATION OF ACTIVE WOMEN'S CAUCUSES IN PROFESSIONAL GROUPS SUCH AS POLICE ASSOCIATIONS AND THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION; (3) A WIDE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON WOMEN IN SUCH AREAS AS POLICE, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS THROUGH NEWSLETTERS AND WORKSHOPS; (4) MORE ACTIVE RECRUITMENT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF WOMEN IN THE FIELD; (5) DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN'S STUDIES PROGRAMS TO AID IN ACQUIRING SKILLS AND EXPERTISE; (6) ESTABLISHMENT OF A WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT REGISTER; (7) DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIALIZED RESEARCH AREAS SUCH AS CHILD CARE FOR WOMEN OFFENDERS; AND (8) NEW POLICIES ON MATERNITY LEAVE, RECRUITMENT, SALARIES, AND PROMOTIONS. EMPHASIS IS ALSO PLACED ON SUPPORTIVE AND ENCOURAGING ATTITUDES ON THE PART OF TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, PARENTS, SPOUSES, AND EMPLOYERS. THESE ATTITUDES SHOULD PROMOTE WOMEN'S SELF-CONFIDENCE, INDEPENDENCE, AND ASSERTIVENESS SO THAT MORE WOMEN WILL ATTAIN POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD. TABLES ARE INCLUDED AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--PRG)