The question as to whether girls are becoming more delinquent remains a debatable issue (OJJP 2). While girls have always made up a significantly small portion of the juvenile justice population, offending by girls has increased over the years. Ideally, the current trends show an increase in the number of girls involved in the justice system. The portrayals by the popular media and press suggest that delinquency, especially drug use and violence among girls is on the rise. In some cases, the perception that girls are becoming more delinquent is attributable to the changes in women’s behaviours as well as the changes in the way the society responds to girls’ behaviours (OJJP 6). The number of girls that are sentenced for violent crimes has increased substantially over the years. This increase in most pronounced for cases of homicide, assault, and robbery. As a result, the natures of the crimes for which girls are being sentenced to prison have changed incredibly (Means 13). Such an increase can be attributed to stringent law enforcement policies rather than increased crime rates. Furthermore, girl’s behaviours have changed substantially in contemporary societies, and girls are not engaging in criminal behaviours that were previously common among boys and men. For example, the number of girls engaging in violent robbery, homicide, and drug use has increased in the American society, as well as in other nations across the globe (Means 8).
The first approach is to deal with factors that increase the risks of delinquency among girls such as early puberty, especially for girls from disadvantaged neighbourhoods, and sexual maltreatment or abuse. Girls are more prone to sexual victimization than their male counterparts are. This includes sexual harassment, rape, and sexual assault. Romantic relationships, anxiety, and depression are some of the factors that increase delinquency among girls than boys. Therefore, the federal and state governments should implement effective community programs that help to address such issues among the girls in America. It is also important to consider the factors that lead to an increase in delinquency risks between both sexes such as family dynamics, the neighbourhood that a child is widely raised in, and the availability of community-based programs (OJJP 14). Particularly, research indicates that girls whose parents are not actively involved in their day-to-day activities or lives are more likely to engage in delinquent behaviours, which may eventually lead to involvement in violent behaviours and gang activities (Means 9). Therefore, by taking an active interest in their children’s activities and lives, parents are in a position to address instances of juvenile delinquency among girls. Nevertheless, parents cannot address the issues alone. Ideally, they should receive some support from community-based groups, which take into account the community environments as well as the family in which the child is raised (Means 8).
The other component focuses on factors that protect girls against delinquency such as success in school (academic achievement), support from caring adults, one’s religiosity, or the extent to which a girl values religion. School connectedness that is characterized by positive interactions at school and positive perception of the school environment also plays a big role in preventing delinquency (Means 11). Specifically, new programs should be created to cater for the unique needs of female offenders. Similarly, the existing programs should be restructured and reorganised to enable them to address the ever changing needs of female offenders.
Works Cited
Means Rosalind. Decreasing the Raise in Female Delinquency through Gender Specific Program and Proactive Police Involvement. Michigan: Eastern Michigan University Press, 2002. Print.
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJP). Girls Study Group: Understanding and Responding to Girls' Delinquency. U.S. Department of Justice. May 2008. Web. March 13, 20126.
