Girls and Gender-Specific Programming by Lyman and Spinney - Book Report/Review Example

Article Critique Lyman and Spinney -Girls and Gender-Specific Programming Thesis The reports try to shift the focus of the policy makers and non-governmental groups that support community initiatives meant to curb violent crimes in the communities. Lyman and Spinney make the following observation. First is the concern that much of attention has been given to the boys when developing delinquency prevention measures in children. Consequently, girls have been almost neglected by the programs that aim to reduce violence and delinquency in the children. Lyman and Spinney (2009) analysis the crime reports in major cities and metropolis in the United States to show the high incidence of girl's participation in the crimes. Subsequently, the authors of the report advocate for customized preventive measures that can be taken to reduce the number of girls falling into criminal gangs. Statement of the Problem Lynn and Spinney (2009) observes that the number of the girls involved in the criminal activities have increased. However, much of the focus has been on the boys when developing programs aimed at reducing the involvement of the children in crimes and juvenile justice systems. The author observes that the lack of focus on the girls has led to increased number of young girls in the criminal activities including joining gangs. On the statement of the problem, Lyman and Spinney are right on the assertion that past researchers have focused on the boys and disregarded the participation of the girls in delinquency and juvenile deviance. The result of such studies is that programs that would otherwise guide girls to empowerment and prevent them from falling into crimes have been disregarded. The outcomes of the study would have a positive impact on the society since it will map out areas of interventions. The policy makers can rely on reports to attune the current program to meet the specific needs of the girls. However, the authors should have done more and analyze the rate of crimes in girls depending on races and incomes. For example, it would be useful to ascertain the level of delinquency in girls living in poor communities as compared with the affluent. Past data shows that black girls suffer higher incarceration rate compared to the whites. Studying the group can give a spatial understanding of the distribution of the crimes among the Hispanic, Natives, black girls and white majority. Evidently, the challenges facing a white girl in America could be very different from that of a black, Hispanic or black. Therefore, the program that should be developed from the study has to be fine-tuned to address the specific challenges of the girls by race (Bright, Hurley & Barth, 2014). Justification-Evidence to support the thesis The importance of carrying out the research on the involvement of the girls in criminal activities and preparation of the report can be tied to various news reports that have highlighted the problem. The report is crucial because other studies show that girls are the largest expanding segment of juvenile justice population. In other words, the number of girls on probation and incarceration is increasing. Furthermore, if nothing is done, the number of girls in juvenile delinquency will match that of the boys if nothing is done to stop the negative trend. In addition, Lynn and Spinney (2009) in the report argues that have unique development and needs as compared to the boys. Moreover, Lynn and Spinney (2009) argues that the current juvenile system is based on a boys program that fails to appreciate the unique developmental and psychological challenges of the girls as compared to the boys. Evidently, the number of women in American prisons have been increasing. However, much of the attention by civil groups have paid to the male gender. Fair enough, the rate of crimes committed by men is thrice that of women. Therefore, it is to focus much of the energy there, especially empowering young American boys. The unintended result of paying attention to the boys is that the rate of crimes committed by the girls has increased. Observantly, the programs designed to address the specific needs of the women are non-existent. Developing such a plan could help match the decline in crimes committed by males and females. Essentially, the according to FBI crime records, the number of offences perpetrated by girls are on the rise. No measures have been taken to address the emerging threat. Therefore, the research is justified, because it aims to find the risk factors that cause girls to commit the crimes and institute appropriate defensive measures. Methodology The methods used for collecting data on this research is surveys and reviews. In the studies, Lynn and Spinney conduct interviews of the girls that have been involved in the juvenile justice system. In addition, discussions were also held with the community leaders and charity groups that have running programs aimed at empowering the women in the society. Another method that is used in collecting data is the secondary sources, reviewing records in the justice systems departments. For example, in Massachusetts, Lynn and Spinney (2009) found that from 1992 to 2002, the number of girls that were put on probation increased steadily. Records show that the percentage of the women in the probation remained 21% to 23% since 2001(Wolf & Gutierrez, 2012). The rate is high compared to the level of 14% in 1992. In Massachusetts, the total population of the women in the DYS in 2008 was 291. The figure was a significant drop from highs of 514 in 2003(Wolf & Gutierrez, 2012). Overall, the number of females in the DYS committed population has remained 15% to 17% since 2002 to 2008 (Wolf & Gutierrez, 2012). Comparatively, the figure was 7% to 9% in 1992 to 1996 (Wolf & Gutierrez, 2012). When carrying out research, is always good to do review results of other studies. For example, in this case, it was convenient to collect data about the rates of crimes committed by girls over the last decade. If the rates are increasing, it is justifiable to carry out a study to establish the cause of the rise in the crimes. Therefore, the methodology adopted by Lyman and Spinney in the study are appropriate. Fundamentally, the results of the past surveys can inform the researchers on the weak-link in the data collection that may be exploited to give a more holistic view at the problem. Furthermore, the researchers could compare the outcome of their study with the past findings to validate their data. Lyman and Spinney have used graphs and pie chart to present results of the findings and to show the connection between the risk factors and increased cases of juvenile delinquency in children. The graphs are appropriate for this study because they give a precise comparison of the different variables in the study. However, the researchers failed to test the confidence of their data which is crucial in validating any research data. Tests such as Z-score, t-test, ANOVA could have been employed in calculating any statistical significance of any noted difference in the results of the past and the current study (Bright, Hurley & Barth, 2014). Discussion and Recommendations In Massachusetts, Lynn and Spinney found the girls in high school have higher tendency to volunteer in community work and felt more supported by the teachers compared to the boys. According to FBI reports, girls were twice as likely to report cases of domestic violence compared to the boys. Importantly, the number of girls suffering from domestic violence was comparatively higher compared with the boys. Data shows that from 2000-2006, girls accounted for more than 90% of the people reported cases of sexual assault perpetrated on young people according to EOPS (Bright, Hurley & Barth, 2014). Markedly, girls compared to the boys are more likely to hurt themselves and shows higher tendencies to commit suicide. The observation is supported by the data from the EOPS that shows women in the age of 15-24 have higher rates of hospitalizations. The report also found that compared with the boys' girls are far less likely to be involved in the juvenile courts for deviant behaviors as compared to the boys. The number of males and girls in juvenile courts for a child in need of services is closely matched in Massachusetts. Results of the study by Lynn and Spinney also showed that compared to the boys, girls involved in juvenile courts justice systems have the history of family relations needs. The four specific factors that were observed as the most significant in contributing to the delinquency of minors in the girls were as follows. The mental health is one of the main causes of juvenile delinquency in girls. Compared to boys, girls are twice as likely in need of talking to someone or suffering emotional stress. Pregnancy was also among the factors highlighted as contributing to high delinquency in girls. Lyman and Spinney (2009) observes that the rate of teenage pregnancy nationally has been declining but remains high among the blacks and the Hispanics. According to the study results, Lyman and Spinney (2009) listed the pathway to girls becoming delinquent as for the history of victimization. The victimization implied by the authors are sexual, physical, and emotional. Another factor that makes a pathway of women entry into delinquency is race and ethnicity. The recommendations made by Lyman and Spinney (2009) on how to address the problem includes developing a positive racial/ethnic self-esteem. The point is to promote cultural identity and personal acceptance. Furthermore, girls should be supported in developing pro-social skills and competence. The development of the skills increases the feeling of self-worth. Physical development is another recommendation made by the report. Mostly, girls become deviant at puberty. Therefore, supporting their development at this point will go a long way in preventing them from falling into crimes. A positive family environment that encourages the child is also crucial to the growth and development of the girls. Lastly, the interpersonal skills are emphasized due to their ability to promote social interactions of the girls. Such interactions improve the self-worth of the girl and make them value friendship and good behaviors. In the recommendations, the author has focused much effort on advocating supporting the girl child during the developmental stages. Essentially, no child whether a girl or a boy should be exposed to violence at home. Studies show that early exposure to violence leads to delinquency later in life. The home environment should, therefore, be safe and conducive to the growth and development of the child. Adolescence is the time when many girls start becoming deviant. Offering parental support at this stage of the development is therefore crucial in guiding the girl on the right path. Contribution to the Literature Le (2012) article on the need for specific treatment of young female offenders would support the thesis of the authors. Again in this article, there is an observation that the collection services are not designed to cater for the specific need of the female offenders. Lowen (2014) article on the girls and justice system is another article that supports the thesis statement of the authors. According to the article, the Juvenile courts often fail to recognize the unique challenges faced by girls in their development including victimization and sexual violence which contributes to the delinquency. Flocks et al. (2017) article on specific prevention programs of reducing delinquency in Florida also supports the thesis of the authors. Furthermore, this articles outlines steps that can be taken to prevent the experience of trauma in young girls that contribute significantly to delinquency later in life. Watson and Edelman (2012) article on making the juvenile system friendly for the girls is also in support of Lyman and Spinney research question. It highlights the mistreatment met upon women by the justice system and the need to make it work better for the girl child. Roman et al. article on risks factors for girls to delinquency are in support of the author thesis. It advocates for having programs that safeguard against exposure to violence and physical trauma. The petition by Tyler (2017) to the Massachusetts legislature on the need to investigate the treatment of girls by justice system shows the importance of Lyman and Spinney study. In conclusion, the research done by Lyman and Spinney is significant. Just like other literature shows, there is the marginalization of the females. The articles and other reports is an opener for the policymakers to develop programs that are favorable to the girls. The methodology used is a comparative study where data from different studies are compared. However, more could be done in the statistical analysis of the results which are purely qualitative as presented by the authors. References Bright, C. L., Hurley, S., & Barth, R. P. (2014). Gender differences in outcomes of juvenile court-involved youth following intensive in-home services. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 5(1), 000-000. Flocks, J., Clavin, E., Chriss, S., & Prado-Steiman, M. (2017). The case for trauma-informed gender-specific prevention/early intervention programming in reducing female juvenile delinquency in Florida. Northeastern University Pritzker School of Law. Le, L. (2012). Gender specific treatment for female, young offenders. Eureka Lowen, L. (2014). Juvenile justice girls and juvenile justice system; Facts and statistics. ThoughtCo. Lyman, L., & Spinney E. (2009). Report on high-risk girls and gender-specific programming. Public Cause Consulting. Roman, C.G, Naser, R., Castrol, J.L, & Lynn-Whaley, J.M. (2012). At risk and delinquent girls programs in the SafeFutures demonstrations. Urban Institute Justice Policy Center. Tyler, C. (2017). Petition. No. 119. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Watson, L., & Edelman, P. (2012). Improving the Juvenile Justice system for girls. Marginalized Girls. Wolf, A., & Gutierrez, L. (2012). It’s about time: Prevention and intervention services for gang-affiliated girls. Oakland, CA: National Council on Crime and Delinquency. Read More