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The Relationship Between Gender and Practitioners' Fear in Working with High-Risk Adolescents

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Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the gender of clients and practitioners and practitioners' fears in work with high-risk youth. Two hundred forty eight youth-serving practitioners were surveyed about the frequency of fears about their work. Scores based on these fears were correlated with the percentage of male clients on practitioners' caseloads. Male practitioners were found to have fears related to liability in their work with female youth clients and fears related to physical harm in their work with male youth clients. Female practitioners were found to have fears of damage to their professional reputation from their work with male youth clients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arizona State University, USA

    Scott K. Okamoto

  2. University of Hawaii, Manoa

    Meda Chesney-Lind

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  1. Scott K. Okamoto
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  2. Meda Chesney-Lind
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Okamoto, S.K., Chesney-Lind, M. The Relationship Between Gender and Practitioners' Fear in Working with High-Risk Adolescents. Child & Youth Care Forum 29, 373–383 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016649418475

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016649418475

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