NCJ Number
87720
Editor(s)
M Q Warren
Date Published
1981
Length
140 pages
Annotation
This series of studies bearing upon female offenders focuses primarily on the comparison of females and males with respect to crime and delinquent behavior, processing in the criminal justice system, and explanations of deviant behavior.
Abstract
One study indicates that girls are involved less often than boys in most delinquent behaviors, with their delinquencies being less serious. Further, female delinquencies were not found to have a special character. Differences in the relative incidence of male and female delinquency appear to have lessened in the past decade, especially in those behaviors considered 'subcultural.' There is an adolescent subculture characterized by involvement in minor delinquencies, such as alcohol and marijuana use, truancy, sexual behavior, and petty theft. Another study found substantial differences in the extent and nature of offenses committed by women compared to men, but few major differences were found in the treatment of male and female offenders by the criminal justice system. Although it has been generally held that differences between male and female self-reported delinquencies and police-reported delinquencies are due to the reluctance of police to process females, one study suggests that methodological factors in self-report studies play a significant role. A literature review examines studies that suggest that black females are more likely than white females to be involved in crime because of age and other demographic characteristics, economic deprivation, status equality between sexes, socialization patterns, racism, and sexism. Two studies that do not directly compare male and female offenders examine factors that influence gun ownership among single urban females and explore the attitudes of female inmates toward interactions with staff and inmate ethical codes. Data, notes, and references accompany the papers. For individual entries, see NCJ 87721-26.