Gender and Delinquency Notes

Gender and Delinquency Overview

  • Focus on the intersection of gender and juvenile delinquency.

  • Growing recognition of female delinquency in the juvenile justice system.

Learning Objectives

  • Evaluate development of interest in female delinquency.

  • Understand gender differences in development and delinquent behavior.

  • Compare biological and social explanations for female delinquency.

  • Examine the feminist perspective and treatment of girls in the juvenile justice system.

Development of Interest in Female Delinquency

  • Observed struggles of young women.

  • Young women are the fastest-growing demographic in juvenile justice.

  • Examination of types of delinquent acts and gang involvement among young women.

Gender Differences in Development

  • Socialization: Differences in aggression, independence, supervision, stress responses.

  • Cognitive: Variances in visual-motor speed, language ability, and self-control.

  • Personality: Distinctions in self-esteem and attention span.

  • Causes are debated: biology vs. socialization, effects of brain organization, treatment of genders, and gender-schema theory.

Gender Patterns in Delinquency

  • Male:female delinquency arrest ratio has shifted from 3:1 in 1995 to 2:1.

  • Self-report studies show comparable delinquent behaviors.

  • Possible reasons for narrowing gender gap include changes in police behavior.

Theories Explaining Female Delinquency

  • Early Biological Explanations: Women's perceived evolutionary status; menstruation; overlooked criminal behavior.

  • Psychological Explanations: Ideas such as penis envy and socialization towards passivity.

  • Contemporary Trait Views: Early maturation linked with victimization, hormonal effects, and aggression.

  • Contemporary Psychological Views: Focus on mental health issues and dysfunctional relationships.

Socialization Views on Delinquency

  • Socialization issues like dysfunctional home lives and abuse related to delinquency.

  • Gang influences highlighted in contemporary views.

Feminist Perspectives

  • Liberal Feminism: Suggests females are less delinquent due to limited opportunities.

  • Critical Feminism: Examines gender inequality, power dynamics, and exploitation within society.

  • Factors like patriarchy, relationship conflict, and family structures impact delinquent behavior.

Juvenile Justice System Treatment

  • Discusses whether the system treats boys and girls differently.

  • Considers offense seriousness and prior records in treatment.

  • Highlights potential imbalance and treatment disparity in justice outcomes for genders.