Explanations of Delinquency
Lombroso said that females were less developed evolutionary than males; they were more infantile and less clever (Siegel & Welsh, 2017). Physical traits such as excessive hair, wrinkling, and an atypical skull might be used to identify criminal females from the “normal” ones. According to contemporary research, girls who approach puberty at a young age are at a higher risk of criminality. Then, hormonal imbalance, according to one position, may impact aggressive behavior in young females. Another theory is that criminality is linked to high levels of male hormones (Siegel & Welsh, 2017). In terms of socialization, girls may require more supervision than boys. Parents are more likely to detect if their daughters act in a socially unacceptable manner.
Feminism and Theoretical Framework
Liberal feminists claim that women are less deviant than men since their social responsibilities afford less opportunity to commit a crime. However, gender inequality, according to critical feminists, arises from males’ and females’ uneven power, as well as men’s following mistreatment of women. The societal factors that influence the lives of women are the focus of critical feminists. They aim to demonstrate how male socialization plays a role in girls’ sexual abuse and rape and how adolescent boys learn to manipulate females. Exploitation, as per the critical feminist perspective, is the catalyst for women’s delinquent and deviant conduct (Siegel & Welsh, 2017). When female victims flee and misuse drugs, it is possible that they’re reacting to abuse they’ve experienced at home or in the classroom.
Power-Control Theory
Gender disparities in delinquency, according to John Hagan and colleagues, are a result of class distinctions that impact family life. According to his power-control hypothesis, delinquency is influenced by the quality of home life. Fathers take over the roles of breadwinners in paternalistic households, while wives work part-time or stay at home. Daughters receive a form of independence that reflects diminished parental authority in egalitarian homes, in which the married couple holds common positions of authority at work and at home (Siegel & Welsh, 2017). The importance of altering feminine roles is highlighted in power-control theory, which clarifies the proportional increase in female criminality.
Juvenile Justice System for Girls
Gender disparities may have a meaningful effect on how adolescents are handled within the juvenile system, in addition to crime trends. Men who are engaged in the judicial process are often punished more harshly than women. If their misbehavior is deemed ethically wrong by public officials or if they have been regarded outside parental supervision, females are more likely than males to face severe penalties. If girls are deemed extremely immoral, they may still face heavy consequences. It seems reasonable to note that the legal system also appears to be prejudiced towards LGBT persons, who are disproportionately imprisoned (Siegel & Welsh, 2017). Such a state of affairs cannot be accepted; hence, fundamental changes are needed.
Reference
Siegel, L. J., & Welsh, B. C. (2017). Juvenile delinquency: Theory, practice, and law (13th ed.). Cengage Learning