NCJ Number
178190
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: July 1999 Pages: 335-363
Date Published
July 1999
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This article examines six major issues in female juvenile delinquency research and youth court statistics regarding females in Canada.
Abstract
These issues are: (1) discriminatory practices despite equality under the law; (2) the prosocial behaviors of females despite their devalued status; (3) females' conformity despite the high socioeconomic costs they pay for that conformity; (4) high public fear of female juvenile delinquency despite actual low rates; (5) unjust variations in practices despite a common national law; and (6) profound but invisible racism in justice for female juveniles. The analysis concludes that oppression by the juvenile justice system will continue and will hurt youth of all races until the contradictions of colonialism, racism, and sexism are uncovered and expressed. Canadian national and local juvenile justice policies should recognize the contradictions involved in the six major issues and should consider the alternative possibilities they suggest. Tables, notes, and 97 references (Author abstract modified)