Reconciling the Differences Between the “Gender-Responsive” and the “What Works” Literatures to Improve Services for Girls

Abstract

Recent increases in the delinquency and incarceration of girls have prompted juvenile justice professionals to search for effective, gender-specific prevention and treatment strategies. Given the dearth of research on girls' programming, these professionals are often left to sort out discrepancies between two major bodies of literature that address the needs of delinquent girls-the "what works" literature and the "gender-responsive" literature. This article culls the best of what is available within both these bodies of literature and suggests programmatic elements deemed essential for working effectively with girls.

The Relationship Between Matching Service to Criminogenic Need and Recidivism in Male and Female Youth

“…They suggest that although girls may be identified upon assessment as high "need," it does not follow that all of these girls are high risk; the lower rate of offending among girls and the types of offenses they commit suggest they are largely not a danger to society (Bloom, 2000;Covington & Bloom, 2003). In addition, proponents of this approach emphasize that a gender-specific treatment orientation is necessary because justice-involved female youth have distinct needs and commonly engage in behaviors (e.g., running away, drug abuse, prostitution) that present more danger to themselves than to others (Hubbard & Matthews, 2008). They assert that the inappropriate categorization of females as high risk makes them more likely to receive strict sanctions that could worsen some of the very problems that got them into trouble in the first place (e.g., depression, sexual abuse, disruptions in relationships; Holtfreter & Morash, 2003).…”

Moving ahead: Five essential elements for working effectively with girls

“…For a detailed discussion of the substantive differences between the "gender responsive" and "what works" literatures, see Hubbard and Matthews (2008).…”

Programas, intervenciones y prácticas efectivas en prevención de drogodependencias con mujeres jóvenes.

“…Es preciso indagar más en cómo fortalecer ambientes seguros y positivos en el hogar, la escuela, entre los compañeros/as y la comunidad. Según autores/as como Hubbard (2008), identificaron de la literatura distintos elementos que podrían ser utilizados para desarrollar programas efectivos 877 Pozo, para las niñas y jóvenes; como la evaluación procesual por objetivos, la retroalimentación, la medición regular del cambio, el riesgo/necesidades y la reincidencia. Son urgentes, entre los/as que intervienen y los/as que investigan o teorizan, y entre los distintos países, el intercambio continuado de experiencias exitosas o de buenas prácticas en intervenciones efectivas.…”