Gender Differences in Cambodian Delinquency: The Role of Ethnic Identity, Parent Discipline, and Peer Delinquency

• NCJ Number: 209292
• Journal: Crime & Delinquency Volume: 51 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2005 Pages: 220-237
• Author(s): Charles G. Go; Thao N. Le
• Date Published: April 2005
• Length: 18 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Ctr's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using a Cambodian adolescent sample, this study examined whether Cambodians who were more ethnically identified were more likely to be delinquent and whether there were gender differences in the relationship between ethnic identity, parental discipline, peer relations, and Cambodian youth delinquency.

Abstract

The study involved 54 boys and 46 girls who resided in Oakland, CA. The mean age for the boys was 15.4 and for the girls, 15.3. Almost all were second generation (91 percent) or were born in the United States; one or both of their parents were born in Asia or outside of the United States. Data were obtained from a larger study on the risk and protective factors for Asian or Pacific Islander delinquent behavior. The study collected standard demographic data and data on ethnic identity, parental discipline, peer delinquency, and youth self-reported delinquency. Based on responses and critiques from community residents and field participants, instruments were constructed to be culturally responsive and relevant. A comparison of mean levels on ethnic identity, parental discipline, and juvenile delinquency found no significant gender differences, in contrast to previous studies that reported higher numbers of delinquent behaviors among Southeast Asian juvenile males compared with females. Regardless of gender, age correlated positively with higher delinquency. Peer delinquency was significantly associated with delinquency regardless of gender; however, ethnic identity and parental discipline were differentially predictive of delinquency for male and female Cambodian youth. Cambodian male youth who were more ethnically identified were more likely to engage in delinquency. For females, ethnic identity mattered less in relation to delinquency, but parental discipline (higher score on parental scolding, yelling, spanking, slapping, or making youth feel shameful, etc.) was more salient for girls. 7 tables and 39 references