NCJ Number
102865
Date Published
1985
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A university researcher discusses the facts and myths surrounding the differential criminality of juvenile females in the United Kingdom, the juvenile justice system's responses to female delinquency, and the belief systems that underlie the system's current operation.
Abstract
Both theoretical literature and current criminal justice practitioners express the views that criminality is not natural to females, that it reflects a psychological disturbance and is often shown in sexual deviance, and that females are becoming increasingly delinquent. However, the biological and psychological explanations rest on poorly designed research that has ignored cultural influences. Females experience differential treatment by the British criminal justice system as a result of paternalistic attitudes and concepts of chivalry. The criminal justice system focuses on female delinquents' social and sexual behavior rather than on their offenses. Both practitioners and policymakers need more awareness of criminal justice attitudes and handling of females. They also need to think carefully about the implications of any proposed changes. Questions for listeners, suggested exercises and action steps, and citations of theoretical and empirical literature.