Gender Differences in the Transformation Narrative: Implications for Revised Reentry Strategies for Female Offenders

Abstract

Several studies have found that men and women differ in how they recount events and experiences. However, they may also differ in the actual experiences of events. A sample of 37 individuals with various stigmatized identities was asked to describe how their lives changed in a positive way. The narratives revealed that women and men experience role transformation differently. Men refer to status-related factors (SRF) while women refer to relationship-related factors (RRF) as integral parts of their narratives. Dominant reentry paradigms rely on a male model of change, but if women transform differently, revised female-specific reentry strategies are necessary for women.

KEYWORDS:

• qualitative research
• reentry from prison to community
• role transformation
• women and social policy
• women's reentry

Notes

Lists for formerly incarcerated individuals were difficult to find. Contacts with the NuLeadership Policy Group, a public policy think tank founded and staffed by formerly and currently incarcerated people, were initially promising, but did not result in the generation of lists to contact potential participants.

This study meets the federal standards for research involving human subjects (IRB Protocol 06-322 M, approved April 24, 2006).

For a more detailed description of the coding scheme and theme development, see Veysey and Christian (in press).

Language and context alluded to the way in which these individuals perceived the factors as intervening in their lives.