NCJ Number
78949
Journal
New Designs for Youth Development Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (May/June 1981) Pages: 3-7
Date Published
1981
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the exceptionally harsh treatment afforded adolescent girls in conflict with the law as compared with adolescent males who become involved with the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
A national survey published in 1975 indicated that 75 percent of females were referred to juvenile court for status offenses; young men, in contrast were more likely to be referred for burglary, larceny, and car theft. Truancy, loitering, and staying out late at night are considered to be matters for great alarm if the offender is a girl. The roving male may be deemed an adventurer, but the roving female is frequently considered to be prematurely active sexually. Even where juvenile authorities are inclined to seek positive alternatives for young women in need of supervision, few such alternatives are available. As in every other area of the juvenile justice system, resources available for girls, such as nonsecure facilities and social and medical services, are disproportionately limited. Many critics advocate the abolition of the category of status offenses, while others suggest that equality of the sexes before the law must be enforced. Unfortunately, few reformers recognize the special injustices to which adolescent women are subjected. The article includes 2 photographs and 24 footnotes.