The Difference between the Attitudes of Male and Female Young Adults towards Juvenile and Adult Sex Offenders

Abstract

The views of the general population towards sexual offenders may play a key role in the rehabilitation of these offenders, and the political responses associated with sexual offending. Therefore, attitudes of the general population between the ages of 18-30 towards juvenile and adult sex offenders were measured in a sample of males (N = 40) and compared with a sample of females (N = 40). Results indicated that though the attitude of both the groups towards juvenile and adult sex offenders were negative, there is no significant difference for the same. Nevertheless, there exists several gender differences where women expressed a more liberal view towards juvenile and adult sex offenders compared to men who held more conservative views. Studies have shown that people who work directly with the sexual offender population have a positive attitude towards these offenders as compared to the general population who don’t work with them. This current study explores the difference in attitudes of young adults towards juvenile and adult sex offenders.