NCJ Number
155454
Date Published
1995
Length
198 pages
Annotation
Prepared by the Federal Judicial Center, this guide provides suggestions on how to conduct gender bias task forces involving the Federal court system.
Abstract
The guide should be useful to anyone interested in studying the role of gender in the Federal court system and should assist in the establishment of gender bias task forces. Forming a task force and gaining acceptance for it to study and report on gender fairness in Federal courts are not simple undertakings. Some believe gender bias does not exist in Federal courts to any significant extent and that the study of gender bias is unnecessary. Others believe that previous court studies provide all the information needed and that resources should be directed toward implementing educational programs and other changes to eliminate gender bias, rather than studying it. Because gender issues affect procedural fairness in the Federal court system, the guide provides assistance in several areas. It describes how to organize a gender bias task force and formulate inquiries, contains information on the the study of gender roles in Federal courts, identifies resources available to task forces, and offers recommendations for writing task force reports and monitoring changes. Appendixes contain summaries of gender task force reports, suggestions for gender studies in Federal courts, and sample research instruments. 71 references