Female Delinquency in a Birth Cohort

• NCJ Number: 93634
• Author(s): C A Facella
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 322 pages
• Publication Format: Dissertation/Thesis
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: University of Pennsylvania - doctoral dissertation

Annotation

This study of a cohort of 14,454 females born in Philadelphia in 1958 and residing in that city from ages 10-18 found that 13 percent had committed at least one reported offense and that the incidence of delinquency varied significantly with race, socioeconomic status, and age at offense commission. Female delinquency was primarily of a minor, nonaggressive character with a limited range of severity.

Abstract

Data were gathered from school and police records. Variables examined were prevalence and incidence rates; character and severity of offenses; onset, progression, and cessation of delinquency; offender status and recidivism; delinquent career and offense patterns; and effects of socioeconomic factors. Of the entire cohort, 47 percent were white and 53 percent nonwhite. Nonwhites were almost twice as active in delinquencies as whites, and lower class nonwhite girls possessed the highest prevalence rate of 185 offenders for every 1,000 subjects at risk. The number of girls involved in delinquent acts increased with each increment until it peaked at age 15 and then declined during the years to adulthood. Nonwhite and lower class females also were most likely to be repeat offenders. Female youngsters continued to have extensive involvement in traditional female violations and were not shifting to aggressive, serious acts against persons and property. Status offenses accounted for 55 percent of the delinquencies. Although one-quarter of the delinquent acts were against persons and property, they were predominantly simple assaults and theft, usually shoplifting. The data showed no direct sexual offenses. Nonwhites committed more serious offenses than whites, but all delinquents regardless of race and socioeconomic class most often committed status offenses. Higher class white offenders were more likely to be disorderly-conduct and alcohol/drug offenders than their lower-class nonwhite counterparts. Analysis using the Sellin and Wolfgang seriousness scoring system showed that most delinquent events were nonserious. No evidence of escalation in offense gravity with increased offensivity was discovered. Tables, approximately 180 references, and indexes are supplied.