The document discusses statistics on juvenile arrests and profiles of female juvenile offenders. Younger ages of initial offending are associated with more serious and persistent crimes later on. Factors contributing to female juvenile offending include poverty, family dysfunction, lack of opportunities, abuse, mental health issues, low self-esteem, poor academic performance, substance abuse, and living in high-crime areas. Rates of offending are higher among African American and Hispanic females. Early signs include being a victim of abuse, self-harm behaviors, poor school performance, and associating with delinquent peers. Prevention requires attentive parenting, awareness of children's social activities and warning signs, and addressing root causes like poverty, abuse, and lack of

1. Cultural Components Matter

2. Statistics
 Children younger than 13 are involved in 1 in 10 juvenile
arrests, with females making sure it is not gender based
 The younger the offending begins, the longer period of
time it will persist, & the more serious the crimes will
become
 32.5% of the total juvenile arrests in 1995 were females
under the age of 18
 Female arrests rose 150% in the mid 1990s, while male
arrests only rose 75%
 Main crime used to be larceny-theft (property crimes), now
include aggravated assault, armed robbery & murder

3. Profile Facts
 Poverty, underemployment, lack of opportunities, and
family dysfunction are significant factors
 Typical female offender from late 1960s to 1980s was
approximately 16 years old, single-parent home in
urban neighborhood, high-school dropout with
inadequate social & work skills, physically or sexually
abused
 Recent profile includes starting as young as
14, growing up in poor & high-crime areas, belongs to
minority group, abuser of drugs and/or
alcohol, suicidal behaviors, mental health & medical
needs not addressed, low self esteem

4. Early Signs
 Victims before offenders
 More likely to harm self
 Directs negative actions inward when angry or
frightened, attempts suicide
 Does poor academically
 Seeks out peers who are involved in delinquent
and antisocial behaviors
 Limited extra-curricular activities
 High absenteeism & expulsion from school
 Disruptive behavior

5. Race Research Facts
 More common in African Americans and Hispanics
 African American females make up nearly 50% of
those held in detention centers, Hispanics make
up 13%, Whites make up 35%
 From 1988 – 1997 there was a 106% increase in
African Americans arrests, 102% increase in
Hispanic arrests, and only a 74% increase in
White arrests
 Caucasian females have a 7:10 dismissal ratio in
court proceedings, but African Americans only
have a 3:10 ratio

6. Family Background Facts
 Physically abused
 Forced sexual activity & sexual abuse, most often
perpetrated by a family member or close friend of
family
 Single-parent households with little adult presence &
supervision
 Disengagement & inattention by parents in relation to
daughters
 Parents who are unaware of social connections
 Family instability
 Emotional conflict within the family

7. Social Status of Family
 Criminal convictions of biological parent(s),
siblings
 Being subjected to wide range of stressors
 Education status of head of household
 Parents with drug and/or alcohol issues & have
been treated for a mental illness
 Poverty
 Poor parenting skills
 Receive public social services

8. Community Background Facts
 Living in urban areas
 Less available social support in community
 Fewer activities available for youths to occupy
their free time
 Disorganized neighborhood environments
 High-crime areas

9. Summary
Female juvenile offending/delinquency is increasing
at an alarming rate, and the criminal acts are
becoming more severe. There is no full-proof
solution to the problem, but the earliest
prevention starts at home. Be attentive to your
children, know their social networks, and know the
warning signs.