NCJ Number
147230
Journal
Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology Volume: 69 Issue: 1 Dated: (1978) Pages: 126-132
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The changing context of female delinquency is examined.
Abstract
Questionnaires were administered to 108 female juvenile offenders at a State institution and 83 randomly selected females at a high school in a predominantly lower-status urban area. Approximately half of each sample were white. While most of the institutionalized girls had committed nonserious, traditionally "female" offenses, they were significantly involved in more serious "male" delinquent acts as well. Findings indicate an important link between friendship patterns and delinquent involvement; also, that female delinquency is not necessarily due to personal maladaptation. Especially for white females, affiliation with groups that included both males and females appeared to be conducive to delinquency. That they picked up delinquent ways from males was evident. Among the black females, who, compared to their white counterparts, have a longer tradition of independence and less social constraints placed upon them, the connection between delinquency and association with males was not so significant. For both white and black girls, acceptance of boys was shown to be important, but the acceptance of other girls appeared to be most important. 3 tables, 21 footnotes