NCJ Number
57611
Journal
Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 221-230
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER EXAMINES THE LEVELS OF SUPPORT FOR SELECTED PROVISIONS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS AMONG SOCIAL WORK AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS.
Abstract
AMONG MAJORS AVAILABLE TO COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND SUBJECT TO THE 'LIBERALIZING' EFFECT OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION ARE THOSE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL WORK. THESE MAJORS SERVE AS EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION FOR ENTRANCE INTO THESE PROFESSIONS AFTER GRADUATION. THE PROFESSIONS HAVE BEEN STEREOTYPED IN A MANNER WHICH SUGGESTS CONFLICT BETWEEN THEM INVOLVING A DIFFERENCE IN ATTITUDES TOWARD CIVIL LIBERTIES. CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL, PARTICULARLY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, ARE PORTRAYED AS AUTHORITARIAN PERSONALITIES WITH RIGID VALUES AND FIXED OPINIONS. ON THE OTHER HAND, SOCIAL WORKERS ARE SEEN AS 'DO-GOODERS' WITH FLEXIBLE LIBERAL OPINIONS. TO TEST THE PREMISE, A QUESTIONNAIRE CONSISTING OF A LARGE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS, BUT INCLUDING FIFTEEN STATEMENTS PARAPHRASING SELECTED SECTIONS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, WAS ADMINISTERED TO THE STUDENTS. CONTRARY TO EXPECTATIONS, THE MEAN LIBERTARIAN SCORE FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE (72.5 PERCENT) AND SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS (71.3 PERCENT) WERE APPROXIMATELY EQUAL. ASSUMING THAT A FAVORABLE ATTITUDE TOWARD CIVIL LIBERTIES IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE PRESERVATION OF DEMOCRACY, THOSE STUDENTS PREPARING AT THE UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL FOR ROLES IN THE PROFESSIONS OF SOCIAL WORK AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPARE FAVORABLY WITH OTHERS. IF THESE STUDENTS ACTUALLY ENTER THE TWO PROFESSIONS AFTER COLLEGE, THESE POSITIONS WILL BE STAFFED BY THOSE SUPPORTIVE OF CIVIL LIBERTIES. HOWEVER, THE ATTITUDES TOWARD CIVIL RIGHTS OF THOSE CURRENTLY WORKING IN THESE PROFESSIONS MUST BE CLARIFIED. THE DATA SHOW THAT AFTER UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION IS COMPLETED, OTHER FACTORS, SUCH AS THE CHARACTER OF THE WORK SITUATION, ALTER THE DEGREE OF ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF CIVIL LIBERTIES. THUS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMS ARE LIMITED IN THE DEGREE TO WHICH THEY CAN AFFECT ATTITUDES IN THE PROFESSIONS. TABLES, NOTES, AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--MJW)