NCJ Number
145134
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 44 Issue: 3 Dated: (1993) Pages: 73-90
Date Published
1993
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Gender and race differences in juvenile "career" delinquents are examined.
Abstract
Data on 863 youths first referred to the Clark County (Nevada) Juvenile Court in 1980 were collected until the end of 1987 or date of 18th birthday. Among females, race was not a significant factor, and those considered chronic tended to commit nonserious offenses. Differences were much more dramatic among males, particularly nonwhites, who were significantly more likely than were whites to be chronic and to commit serious offenses. Previous studies have shown that males are more actively and more seriously involved than are females in delinquent behavior. The four race-gender groups are in descending order of delinquency rate: black males, white males, black females, and white females. Some studies have indicated a black female delinquency rate very close to that of white males. The authors recommend a standardization of the term "chronic." 10 tables, 8 endnotes, and 43 references