Gender Biases in Probation Officers: Attributions of Juvenile Delinquency

Abstract

In recent years a controversy has developed over the extent of gender discrimination in the juvenile justice system. This article focuses specifically on how male and female probation officers attempt to explain the reasons for male and female delinquency. Independent observers ranked open-ended responses from probation officers along several causal dimensions. Peer conformity was given as the major explanation for both male andfemale delinquency. However, delinquent girls were seen as rebelling against traditional norms, while delinquent boys were regarded as conforming to gender roles. Both male and female probation officers judged same sex minors as having a lower self-esteem. It is suggested that there is an interactive effect of the sex of the probation officer and the minor on attributions. These interactions may result in differential treatment.