The attitudes of girls toward the police: differences by race

Abstract

PurposeRecent research suggests that there is not widespread support for the police among juveniles. Unfortunately, this research typically involves either examining the attitudes of boys toward the criminal justice system, or includes gender as one of many factors that explains attitudes. The present study, using survey responses from 431 females, examines the differences in the attitudes and experiences of girls as related to the police.Design/methodology/approachData for this study were collected using self‐administered surveys distributed to 9th through 12th grade public high school students in the greater Cincinnati (Ohio) area.FindingsThe findings suggest that overall attitudes of black and white girls toward the police are significantly different from one another. Moreover, when a regression equation was estimated, race continued to be a significant predictor of less positive attitudes. However, seeing and hearing about police misconduct aimed at a third party (vicarious experiences of misconduct) was a stronger predictor of girls' attitudes toward the police.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was limited to juveniles residing in and around a metropolitan area. Future research should explore the experiences of teenagers in rural areas with the police, and how these experiences may impact on their attitudes toward law enforcement.Originality/valueHighlights the different attitudes of black and white girls towards the police.

Exploring the dimensions of trust in the police among Chicago juveniles

“…Among Latino and African American youths, "being like mom" was related to lower ratings of trust in the police, which is consistent with previous research showing that women rate the police more negatively than men and that women of color are more likely to report seeing and hearing about instances of police abuse Hurst, McDermott, & Thomas, 2005). A closer relationship with mom could increase the likelihood that negative attitudes toward the police will be transmitted to adolescents of color.…”

Juvenile attitudes towards the police: The importance of subcultural involvement and community ties

“…Calls for service in which the caller was satisfied with the experience were found to be associated with improved attitudes towards police (Brandl, Frank, Worden, & Bynum, 1994;Frank et al, 1996;Hurst et al, 2005;Reisig & Parks, 2000). Other calls for service in which the citizen did not hold the same level of satisfaction did not have the same positive effect on attitudes (Brandl et al, 1994;Frank et al, 1996).…”

“…While most of the previous research focused on adults, research on juvenile attitudes towards the police indicated that youths hold less favorable attitudes than their adult counterparts Hurst, Frank, & Browning, 2000;Hurst, McDermott, & Thomas, 2005;Leiber, Nalla, & Farnworth, 1998;Taylor, Turner, Esbensen, & Winfree, 2001). Prior studies also illustrated the importance of contact with police as a determinant of citizens' attitudes, for both juveniles and adults (Cox & Falkenberg, 1987;Dean, 1980;Rusinko, Johnson, & Hornung, 1978;Smith & Hawkins, 1973).…”

“…Prior studies also illustrated the importance of contact with police as a determinant of citizens' attitudes, for both juveniles and adults (Cox & Falkenberg, 1987;Dean, 1980;Rusinko, Johnson, & Hornung, 1978;Smith & Hawkins, 1973). Finally, demographic differences such as sex (Hurst et al, 2005;Taylor et al, 2001) and race/ ethnicity (Cheurprakobkit, 2000;Frank, Brandl, Cullen, & Stichman, 1996;Jacob, 1971;Taylor et al, 2001;Webb & Marshall,1995) were examined, with racial/ ethnic differences found to be particularly salient.…”

“…For example, prior research documented the salience of race/ethnicity (Cheurprakobkit, 2000;Frank et al, 1996;Hagan, Shedd, & Payne, 2005;Hurst et al, 2005;Jacob, 1971;Taylor et al, 2001), and to a lesser degree, sex differences (Hurst et al, 2005;Taylor et al, 2001) in attitudes towards police in both adult and juvenile samples. Similar studies also illustrated that juveniles in general possessed views of the police that were less positive than those of adults (Hurst et al, 2005;Taylor et al, 2001). To what extent are such patterns replicated among juveniles in the sample used in this article?…”