Not Always Sugar and Spice: Expanding Theoretical and Functional Explanations for Why Females Aggress

• NCJ Number: 218212
• Journal: Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: March-April 2007 Pages: 131-140
• Author(s): Kelly N. Graves
• Date Published: March 2007
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This review of research on the recent surge in violence rates among female adolescents across the United States addresses risk and protective factors linked to youth violence, with attention to why particular risk and protective factors are apparently stronger predictors of female violence than male violence.

Abstract

Recent research has shown that violent behavior by females throughout adolescence has increased across cultures in the United States (Offord et al., 1992). Because of different socialization patterns for females compared to males, along with differing risk and protective factors, treatment programs must be tailored to the distinctive and individualized needs of female adolescents. Within the study sample, the number of females who engaged in violent behavior increased by 227 percent during the ages of 12-16 compared to females ages 4-11. Although both males and females show an increase in violent behaviors during adolescence, the progression of violent behavior tends to be faster for females compared to males, although females tend to begin violent behaviors slightly later than males. The link between alcohol use frequency and violence is stronger for females compared to males. Adolescent females who behave violently are also almost four times more likely to be dependent on substances compared to adolescent females who do not behave violently. In addition, violence co-occurs with mental disorders such as depression, particularly among females (Crick, Geiger, and Zimmer-Gembeck, 2003; McCloskey and Herrera, 2003). Peer influences are also stronger predictors of female violence compared to male violence, possibly because friendships are more central to female identities compared to males. Other factors related to violence by female adolescents are childhood sexual abuse and maternal hostile behaviors. Factors that protect female adolescents from the development of violent behaviors are adaptability, problem-solving ability, resourcefulness, communication, warmth, and general social competence, along with family involvement and authoritative parenting practices. 87 references