NCJ Number
94753
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1984) Pages: 313-323
Date Published
1984
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A comparative analysis of male and female juvenile crime and delinquency used self-report delinquency data gathered from Ontarian (Canada) juveniles.
Abstract
The inventory included criminal offenses such as sale or use of drugs, a variety of theft items, vandalism, break and enter, and interpersonal conflict. Status offenses comprised truancy, staying away from home overnight, consuming alcohol, and running away from home. For the majority of offenses, especially more serious criminal acts, rates of commission for both sexes are low. The male-female mean ratio for involvement in status offenses is 1.19 to 1. For the more serious criminal offenses, the ratio increased to 1.34 to 1. Although the frequency of misconduct is lower for females, the type of delinquencies are similar. Female delinquency is more versatile suggesting that it is more of an all-or-nothing phenomenon that male misconduct. The profiles of delinquency rate closely resemble those discovered in the U.S. The comparability of findings across time and cultural context provides support for the assertion that the findings of delinquency research conducted elsewhere are relevant to Canada. Twenty-two references are appended.