NCJ Number
170818
Journal
Law and Human Behavior Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1998) Pages: 81-107
Date Published
1998
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This article critically reviews existing theories of and research on female delinquency, as well as the juvenile justice system's response to female delinquency.
Abstract
This review of the female delinquency literature shows the ambiguities and piecemeal nature of the research. Consequently, there is little conclusive understanding of the significant etiological factors that contribute to female delinquency. Although some social scientists have determined that female delinquency follows a unique developmental course, other researchers have concluded that the underlying causes, evolution, and personality factors that are associated with female delinquency and conduct disorder are perhaps subtler than, but essentially the same as those for male delinquency. Researchers have observed a high correlation between female delinquency and a history of having been physically and sexually abused; yet it remains unknown as to whether this is a consequence of the abuse or some other concomitant family dysfunction. Family structure has been investigated, but the more etiologically promising family process variables have yet to be thoroughly examined. The understanding and treatment of female and male delinquency could be enhanced through the adoption of a gender-integrated theory of delinquency that is informed by the comprehensive study of developmental, psychological, and social-ecological determinants. Regarding the juvenile justice system's response to female delinquents, the maintenance of a narrow, status-offense, sexuality-dominated perspective toward female delinquents by the juvenile justice system causes it to miss the larger picture of serious offending committed by female delinquents. A table presents a review of key studies in contemporary perspectives on female delinquency. 126 references