Youth Delinquency in Relation to Gender and Shifting Representations in the Media - Literature review Example

Youth Delinquency in Relation to Gender and Shifting Representations in the Media and/or Popular Culture Student’s Name: Name of Institution: Instructor’s Name: Course Code: Date of Submission: Introduction ‘Delinquent’ behavior refers to that which deviates from the accepted values and norms (unspoken or defined by law) of society. Such behaviors may include simple offenses, e.g. disobeying curfews, or other serious crimes, e.g. rape, murder, theft, etc. Indeed, gender does affect people differently. Given the varying methods of socialization that boys and girls display, and thus experience life differently, ‘gender’ becomes a valid variable for discussing juvenile delinquency. Unfortunately, most research studies have focused their attention on male juveniles, somewhat ignoring, denying or even trivializing crimes amongst females. As a result, there has been little understanding on the differences between juvenile delinquency in males and females. This, of course, is largely attributable to the historical fact that it is the males who constitute the bigger percentage of delinquents (Trogdon, 2006). However, according to Chesney-Lind and Okamoto (2001), in the 1990s crime rate amongst female juveniles grew faster than amongst male juveniles. This paper aims to explore the question of gender differences among juvenile delinquents, as well as the correlations between them. Also, this paper will touch on the responsibility of the media and popular culture in shifting focus on this issue (i.e. accepting the existence of female juveniles). Discussion A number of correlations between male and female juveniles have need identified. For example, it has been found that, generally, children who suffer any kind of abuse are highly likely to run away that those who do not experience abuse. Other such correlates include drug abuse, gang affiliation, family structure and educational progress, amongst others. However, these factors (e.g. abuse) have not been studied in relation to gender. For example, it is possible that the female juveniles have faced more abuse that the boys (or even the vice versa). Child Abuse Trogdon (2006) notes the prevalence of child abuse in the US. According to US Department of Health and Human Services (2000, cited in Trogdon, 2006), of all the reported cases of child abuse, physical abuse was at 19.3 percent and sexual abuse was at 10.1 percent. While the rate of physical abuse victimization was found to be similar for both boys and girls, females were found to experience higher rate of sexual abuse than boys, i.e. 71 percent. A national research found that sexual and physical abuse played a role in a girl’s delinquency, i.e. adolescence disorders such as running away, truancy and conduct problems (Chesney-Lind & Sheldon, 2004). A related study conducted by Siegel and Williams (2003…..) found that women who suffer sexual abuse are twice likely to commit violent offenses that those who do not. These studies are in line with the argument of crime theorists that victimization breeds delinquency, which may be revealed in later years. Girls experience higher rate of sexual abuse as compared to their male counterparts, who experience higher rate of physical abuse than the girls (Trogdon, 2006). Importance of Education In 1988, Siegel and William (cited in Trogdon, 2006) conducted a research study which showed a correlation between failure in school and delinquency. These findings were found to run across all socioeconomic groups. In a related study, Chesney-Lind and Shelden (2004) found that the significance of such a relationship (school failure versus delinquency) differed in boys and girls, that it is more prominent in girls than boys. Perhaps this is in line with the assertion that girls are likely to quit school 7 times more than boys, e.g. for family purposes, which then predisposes them to delinquency ( Junger-Tas et al, 2004; Trogdon, 2006). Socioeconomic Status Research has found the correlation between socioeconomic status and delinquency. Infact, at the close of the 19th century, children from poor families were labeled ‘delinquent’. However, further research sought to examine the patterns of crime over time. As a result, many have come to understand that poverty does not cause delinquency per se. Still, it remains a crucial indicator (Willem Bonger 1916, cited in Trogdon 2006). Chesney-Lind and Shelden (2004) note that more girls are increasingly joining gangs in an effort to cope with the socioeconomic disadvantages in which they find themselves. Harper and Robinson (1999 cited in Chesney-Lind & Shelden, 2004) found that more than 95 percent of female juveniles who admitted to having been gang members came from families that received welfare or unemployment benefits. This shows that for females, economic hardship is highly likely to lead to gang membership. Family Structure Differences between male and female delinquents were also noted in relation to the family structures. For instance, in his study of juvenile delinquents in Texas, Trogdon (2006) noted that most female juvenile delinquents came from homes with two guardians. This deviated from the assertion of earlier research studies claiming delinquency was more likely in single-parent homes due to lack of supervision and role models. What this correlation implied is that perhaps family structure does not have as much influence on females as previously believed. On the other hand, most male juvenile delinquents were found to come from single-guardian homes. Gangs and Peer Groups Just like family, peers do influence the beliefs and behaviors of those with whom they interact. These peer influences are passed through actual behaviors or expressed attitudes. Of these two, actual behaviors are the most influential (Warr & Stafford, 1991 cited in Trogdon, 2006). Gangs are examples of peer groups. Infact, some gang members view other members as family. According to delinquency theorists, peers play a significant role in an individual’s socialization habits. Therefore, interacting with such a group shapes a person’s internalization of norms associated with behavior. Perhaps it is for this reason that gang membership has been found among many juveniles homicide cases (Trogdon, 2006). There has been much debate on the roles of females in gangs. Infact, many have disagreed on this matter. According to Jankowski (1991, cited in Trogdon, 2006), gangs are purely male occurrences and females are merely as ‘property’ or providers of sex. But Taylor (1993 cited in Trogdon, 2006) disputed this, arguing that females are also capable of ruthlessness as their male counterparts. Taylor’s study shows a shift in the traditional perception on gender repression. Chesney-Lind and Shelby (2004), while agreeing that girls have been gang members for a long time, also noted that the nature of violence conducted by them is determined by their genders. Drug or Alcohol Abuse Abuse of drugs and alcohol was found to be a significant cause of delinquency in both boys and girls. Female delinquents were found to be abused more frequently than male delinquents. According to Trogdon (2006), this trend is partly attributed to the internalization of traditional gender roles. Since females are generally socialized to be submissive, many of them do not speak of the abuses they may experience. Media & Popular Culture Representations The issue of juvenile delinquency in relation to gender has become a major academic concern. So far, this paper has shown how researchers have sought to answer certain questions in relation to gender and juvenile delinquency, including the possibility of delinquency amongst girls, causes of delinquency in both girls and boys and how they differ, the role of girls in gangs. Most researchers have come to accept that girls, although in lower numbers, are also as guilty. However, this debate has not really been the case in the public, with the media and popular culture being the key agenda-setters. In agreement, Reiner (2002) bemoans the ‘cause of concern’ that is the representation of deviance and crime by the mass media, especially as ‘discerned in public debate’. The question here surrounds the side that the mass media would like to paint as the ‘victim’. For years, and perhaps in accompaniment of feminism, the mass media has sought to project the females as victims. This stance bears a degree of validity as shown in research findings which have shown men to commit crimes more frequently than women. These statistics have provided the premise upon which the media has continually defended its ‘female victim’ stance. Indeed, research studies have shown that male delinquents commit crimes more frequently than female delinquents. But this is in no way an indication that women do not commit crime. In recent years, the mass media has attempted to adopt a girls-are-also-capable-of-crime stance. For example, while Chris Brown was condemned for beating Rihana, Rihana has also had her own share of ‘negative’ portrayal by the mass media. This is to accept that she is also capable of her own demons. We have equally seen the representations of Michael Jackson and Amy Winehouse. These elements, albeit subtle, mark a shift in the representations youth delinquency among the youth. Conclusion Although the factors that cause juvenile delinquency among young people have been found to be similar in both boys and girls, there are still differences in their significance depending on gender. For instance, while abuse played a bigger role in female delinquency, gang membership was found to figure mostly in males than females (Junger-Tas et al, 2004; Trogdon, 2006). Ultimately, the mass media has helped this ‘new’ reality by objectively turning focus to both male and female delinquents. Accepting this as a fact is not an effort to paint the females in a bad light, but a crucial step in finding a solution for them too. Bibliography Chesney-Lind, M & Okamoto, SK 2001. ‘Gender matters: patterns in girl’s delinquency and gender responsive programming’, Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, vol. 1, pp. 1-28 Chesney-Lind, M & Shelden, RG 2004. Girls, delinquency, and juvenile justice. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Wadsworth. Junger-Tas, J, Ribeaud, D & Cruyff, MJLF 2004. ‘Juvenile Delinquency and Gender’, European Journal of Criminology, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 333-375 Reiner, R 2002. Media-made criminality: the representation of crime in the mass media. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.196.7742&rep=rep1&type=pdf, (accessed 04 June, 2012) Siegel, JA & Williams, LM 2003. ‘The relationship between child sexual abuse and female delinquency and crime: a prospective study’, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, vol. 40, pp. 71-94 Trogdon, S 2006. Gender related differences in correlations of juvenile delinquency in the state of Texas. Thesis. https://digital.library.txstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10877/3186/fulltext.pdf (accessed 03 June, 2012) Read More