NCJ Number
75875
Journal
Criminology Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: (February 1981) Pages: 453-470
Date Published
1981
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This investigation of sex-related patterns in delinquency among middle-class male and female secondary school students reveals little marked difference in delinquent activities.
Abstract
A self-reporting questionnaire was administered to students in junior and senior high schools in an affluent suburb of a large city. Delinquent behaviors investigated included (1) alcohol and marijuana use, (2) minor theft, (3) cheating on school work, (4) vandalism, (5) theft of bicycles and auto accessories, (6) car theft, and (7) interpersonal conflict. The students were asked to estimate the frequency of each activity during the 6-month period preceding the survey. Few differences were found in the delinquency patterns of male and female subjects. Boys were more likely to report interpersonal conflict than girls. Small differences were found for the more serious property crimes. Boys were more likely to engage in criminal activities more frequently than girls. There were no differences in the incidence of delinquency activity in the over-all group and groups from other social strata reporting delinquency activity. Tabular data, notes, and 40 references are included.