NCJ Number
14216
Journal
Psychology Today Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (JULY 1974) Pages: 43-46
Date Published
1974
Length
4 pages
Annotation
CRITIQUE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTICES IN ARREST, TREATMENT, SENTENCING AND DETENTION OF FEMALE JUVENILE DELINQUENTS, ESPECIALLY IN COMPARISON TO TREATMENT OF MALE JUVENILE OFFENDERS.
Abstract
THE FUNCTION OF THE JUVENILE COURT IS SEEN AS ONE OF CONFORMING JUVENILE BEHAVIOR TO CERTAIN SOCIETAL NORMS, ESPECIALLY WITH RESPECT TO MORALITY ISSUES. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT A MUCH GREATER PROPORTION OF GIRLS THAN BOYS ARE REFERRED TO COURTS FOR JUVENILE STATUS OFFENSES SUCH AS SEXUAL ACTIVITY OR TRUANCY. GIRLS ARE SEEN AS PARTICULARLY LIABLE FOR PUNISHMENT FOR SEXUAL TRANSGRESSIONS. SHE STATES THAT IN COMPARISON TO MALES, FEMALE JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE REFERRED FOR THEIR FIRST OFFENSE, ARE DETAINED FOR LONGER PERIODS BEFORE TRIAL, ARE SUBJECTED TO PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS MORE OFTEN, AND ARE FREQUENTLY QUESTIONED ABOUT THEIR SEXUAL ACTIVITY. ONCE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT, IT WAS FOUND BY THE AUTHOR THAT GIRLS ARE MORE OFTEN PUT IN INSTITUTIONS AND ARE GIVEN LONGER SENTENCES THAN BOYS FOR THESE JUVENILE STATUS OFFENSES.