Title: Risk Factors of Female Juvenile Delinquency – CRJS 382: Gender, crime & justice
Headings: Risk Factors of Female Juvenile Delinquency
Risk Factors of Female Juvenile Delinquency
Cancel reply

Content: Risk Factors of Female Juvenile Delinquency – CRJS 382: Gender, crime & justice




Risk Factors of Female Juvenile Delinquency
March 20, 2016 gourlayak
There are many factors that put females at the risk of becoming a delinquent. Some of the major ones include: sexual and/or physical abuse, substance abuse, teen pregnancy/teen parenting, poor academic performance, mental health needs, gang membership, and lastly, early onset of puberty. According to the U.S. Department of Health (2003), females are three times more likely to be sexually abused than males. Majority of female delinquents have had a history of sexual abuse, which has a overpowering impact on a girl during adolescence. Being sexually abused as a little girl can result in low self-esteem issues, inability to trust others, academic failure, eating disorders, teen pregnancy, as well as other serious concerns. If sexual abuse is not addressed, victims may turn to alcohol or drugs to numb the pain, or even worse, act out in violent ways. When females are caught committing a crime, majority report that they were intoxicated or under the influence of an illegal substance (s). Abusive and/or dysfunctional families are a main source as to why a female would run away from home, which leads to the high possibility of becoming involved in drug use and alcohol use.