Female Juvenile Delinquency: Risk Factors and Promising Interventions

• NCJ Number: 183499
• Author(s): Ann B. Loper Ph.D.
• Date Published: September 1999
• Length: 6 pages
• Grant Number(s): 97-JE-FX-0051
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Corporate Author: Institute of Law, Psychiatry & Public Policy, University of Virginia
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Institute of Law, Psychiatry & Public Policy, University of Virginia
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper examines risk factors and promising interventions in female juvenile delinquency.

Abstract

Most research concerning risks for delinquency has focused on boys, making it difficult to assess how the risks for girls differ. However, several factors are consistently associated with delinquency in girls: history of abuse, family distress, substance abuse, mental illness, teenage parenting and academic failure. The most promising interventions for girls are those that focus on developing relationship skills, building family or community connections, or dealing with high risk behaviors such as sexual activity or substance abuse. The paper includes examples of each type of intervention and resources for further information. Recommendations for reducing delinquent behavior by girls include: (1) Providing forums for open and safe discussion of personal safety, abuse and victimization; (2) Addressing mental health needs and substance abuse; (3) Providing academic support service and encouraging school, church and community participation; (4) Involving positive adult role models; and (5) Providing information concerning reproductive health and teenage parenting, and providing parent training and child-care relief time for teenage mothers. Figures, tables, bibliography, references