Gender Differences in Occupational Attitudes Among Chinese Judges

The past two decades have witnessed the emergence of empirical studies exploring the relationships between legal and extra-legal factors and judicial attitudes and behavior in China. Nonetheless, few studies have assessed Chinese judges’ occupational experiences across genders. This study examines gender disparities in professional attitudes among Chinese judges. Relying on survey data collected from 485 judges in a northern Chinese province, this study assesses whether female and male judges differ in their responsiveness to litigants and turnover intention. Multivariate regression models reveal that gender differences exist in judges’ responsiveness and turnover intention, with female judges less likely to show responsiveness to litigants and quit their jobs. Besides gender, judges’ job satisfaction and stress and relationships with litigants are also linked to their responsiveness and turnover intention. Implications for policy and research are discussed.