Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Gender and Delinquency

Introduction

• Discusses gender differences in delinquency as well as gender-based experiences, developmental rates, and motivations in offending.

The Gender Ratio in Offending

• Feminist criminologists' consensus on:

  • Differences in adolescent experiences by gender.

  • Developmental rates vary significantly between genders.

  • Male and female offending patterns differ in scope and motivation.

• General Agreement:

  • Female adolescents typically receive more social support and supervision than males.

• Disagreement:

  • How to effectively address male-centered approaches to delinquency.

The Gender-Ratio Issue

• Importance of understanding gender differences in delinquency:

  • Questions to consider:

    • Why are females less involved in crime?

    • Why are males more crime-prone?

    • What accounts for these gender differences?

• This concern is referred to as the “gender-ratio issue.”

Areas of Inquiry

• Framework for exploring the gender ratio includes:

  • Gendered Pathways: Different paths to delinquency based on gender.

  • Gendered Crime: Variations in types of crime committed by different genders.

  • Gendered Lives: How societal roles and expectations influence delinquent behavior.

Gender Roles and Delinquency

• Socialization of Gender Roles:

  • Children absorb and understand gender roles through socialization, impacting behaviors.

• Definitions:

  • Gender: Traits and roles associated with being male or female.

  • Gender Role: Societal expectations of masculine and feminine behavior.

• Recent acknowledgment of biological influences on behavior while recognizing socialization’s role.

Differences Between Girls’ and Boys’ Delinquency

• Table 6–1:

  • Girls and boys differ in focus and aggression types:

    • Girls: Relationship-based, relational aggression.

    • Boys: Rule-based, over-aggression.

Characteristics of Female Delinquents

• Common background traits among incarcerated females include:

  • Family dysfunction, trauma, abuse, mental health issues, substance abuse, risky behavior, academic struggles, delinquent peers.

Causes of Girls’ Delinquency

• Research projects (i.e., Girls’ Study Group) indicate:

  • Girls face distinct challenges leading to delinquency.

  • Girls’ delinquent acts are often less severe than boys’.

  • High incidence of trauma, especially sexual abuse, and varying reactions to stressors among genders.

Explanations of Female Delinquency

• Biological Factors:

  • Stress, ADHD, early puberty, mental health issues are vulnerabilities that affect girls more than boys.

• Psychological Factors:

  • Puberty onset, identification processes, and societal shifts in females’ roles contribute to delinquency.

• Sociological Factors:

  • General Strain Theory, blocked opportunities, and social learning influence delinquency rates.

Feminist Theories of Delinquency

• Views on girls’ victimization and its relationship to crime remain underexplored.

• Four Propositions by Meda Chesney-Lind:

  • Girls are often victims of violence, influencing their criminal behavior.

  • Victimizers exploit social control to keep girls vulnerable.

  • Abusive situations lead to actions that can result in delinquency.

  • Economic and social pressures can lead to vulnerability in female delinquents.

Influence of Class

• Economic conditions affect delinquency risk, especially for adolescent females.

• Class differences shape experiences and access to coping mechanisms.

Racial Discrimination

• Minority girls face compounded issues of racism and poverty, leading to unique struggles including association with gangs and increased victimization risks.

Prevention of Delinquency

• Programs like Girls Inc. advocate for a strong sense of self in girls to prevent delinquency, emphasizing rights to individuality and safety.

Gender and Resilience

• Resilience defined as coping ability in face of adversity.

• Key risk factors include abuse and neglect; protective factors involve supportive relationships and school success.

Delinquency Across the Life Course

• Gender differences evident in longitudinal delinquency studies.

Social Policy and Gender Responsiveness

• Calls for policies that recognize gendered differences in delinquency to improve intervention strategies.

Delinquency and LGBTQ+ Youth

• The impact of gender identity and sexual orientation plays a crucial role in delinquency rates.

• Research indicates higher rates of victimization and homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth.

Policy Recommendations

• Recent developments in policy addressing LGBTQ+ youth aim to protect against discrimination in juvenile justice systems.