The Impact of Gender on Social Support for Criminal Justice Careers

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates how social support impacts students’ decisions about majoring in criminal justice and/or pursuing careers in the field. Thirty students were interviewed regarding their perspectives and sources of social support. Six primary themes emerged from interviews: support for higher education, hesitant support for criminal justice, parental support, support from friends/associates, perceptions of public support, and gender and social support. While students who pursue criminal justice careers do not perceive full support for their aspirations, support can vary by gender, with women encountering additional barriers to support. Still, students are undeterred from the field of criminal justice and remain hopeful about their professional futures. Criminal justice programs can use these findings to identify opportunities to better advise women in their programs. The findings are also useful for potential employers in the criminal justice system to recognize how to effectively recruit more women into positions dominated by men.

Keywords:

• Social support
• gender
• careers
• policing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ebonie Cunningham Stringer

Ebonie Cunningham Stringer is a sociologist and passionate scholar-activist committed to research, teaching, and service at the intersections of criminal justice, gender, the family, and religion. She enjoys involving students in research, community work and social justice initiatives. Dr. Stringer is a faculty member in the criminal justice program at Penn State Berks.

Salvatore DeFeo

Salvatore DeFeo is the assistant director of a community agency providing gender-specific, trauma informed support to women returning to the community following incarceration and residential drug treatment. He is a recent criminal justice and communications graduate.

Genesis Munoz Arias

Genesis Munoz Arias works with a community agency providing direct services to adult defendants, incarcerated persons, returning citizens and their families. Genesis is also a youth advocate and volunteers in various aspects of local government. She is a recent criminal justice graduate.

Jennifer Murphy

Jennifer Murphy is associate professor and chair of Criminal Justice at Penn State Berks. Her research and teaching interests are in drug policy and addiction stigma.