It is evident that girls tend to have fewer arrest cases than their counterparts do in violent crimes such as robbery and homicide. Females mainly have high arrest rates for petty crimes such as prostitution. Studies have shown that even when involved in violent crimes, the situation is often aided by boys and is likely to be less aggressive compared to the instances involving males. In particular, studies have universally established that there still exists a significance margin between the number of girls and males arrests. For example, Princeton in an evaluation conducted in 1980 established that males had four times chances of being arrested than girls (Princeton).
However, it is acknowledgeable that the noted trend has considerably changed over the last 25 years. Reliable researchers highlight that the incidents of females in involved in violent crimes have increased significantly. Statistics indicate that the sum assaults by females have increased from 15% to 25% in the last few decades (Princeton). The situation can be linked to the increased violent habit of the females. The state is also attributable to female empowerment and the adoption the image of a ‘bad girl’ as the survival tactic. Lastly, earlier tormenting encounters such as sexual abuse often make girls adopt a nasty attitude, thus engaging in violent crimes.
Initially, girl child empowerment has made the girl to acknowledge their equal potential as their counterparts. In this respect, these girls are motivated to engage in vicious crimes initially viewed as the reserve for boys. For example, in some instances, they consider engaging in such crime as the great achievement, which marks their high ability. Furthermore, repeated bullying from boys especially in schools prompt the girls into adopting a ‘bad girl’ attitude to counteract. They also adopt this habit when they realize that their male counterparts who practice the ‘bad boy’ habit escape unpunished. With time, the habit develops into a more dangerous practice making them assume a ‘don’t care’ attitude thus can readily engage in violent crimes. Furthermore, studies have identified that most girls involved in violent crimes come from the poor background, which predisposes them to repeated exploitation and discrimination. Such girls are mainly prone to physical and sexual abuse, the tormenting incidents that make the distressed (Princeton). In this respect, they become bitter with life and result in crimes as retaliation. In fact, most of these individuals often become very aggressive, as they have lost hope in life.
My answer suggests the need for focusing more on the idea of involvement of the girl child in violent crimes. It is apparent that reported increasing arrest cases prompt the need for rethinking about this modern challenge. I feel the need of focusing on the identified factors linked with the noted trend. Priority needs to be given to strategies that target reducing social-economic aspect that result to discrimination, abuse or discrimination of the girl child. This will be essential in curbing deviant and nasty attitudes that mainly make female adopt retaliatory habits. The correction agencies should also acknowledge the reality that the number of girls involved in violent crimes is considerably increasing. This mean that continue to rely on the perception that mainly characterized violent crimes with the males is misinformed. There is the need for structuring policies and strategies that account for this new trend to curb the situation accordingly.
Works Cited
Princeton. “Girls and Boys in the Juvenile justice system: Are there difference that warrant policy changes in the juvenile justice system. The Future of Children. (2015). Web. 18th Feb. 2016.http://futureofchildren.org/futureofchildren/publications/highlights/18_02_Highlights_08.pdf
