FEMALE JUVENILES Crime statistics

From 1992 and 1996 the number of female juveniles arrested in violent crimes -- murder, robbery, and aggravated assault -- increased 25 percent. No increase in arrests of male juveniles for the same offenses.
Female juvenile arrests for property crimes -- burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson -- have increased 21 percent. Male arrests in this category decreased 4 percent.
Female involvement in crimes, once seen as an anomaly, has evolved into a significant trend.
Young females are far less likely than males to violate the law: More than three-quarters of juvenile arrests and juvenile court delinquency cases involve males, even though the rate for female juveniles is increasing at a faster pace.
Most research concludes that female delinquent behavior is related to weak bonds to parents and school. The initial causes of violence are found in the early learning experiences in the family, which includes weak family bonding, and ineffective monitoring and supervision.
The exposure to and reinforcement for violence in the home, including physical abuse, has a tremendous impact on the potential for later adolescent female violence.
Involvement with delinquent friends is the strongest and most immediate cause of the actual onset of serious violent behavior. Within this group violence is modeled, encouraged and rewarded.
The problems encountered by an adolescent female at school cause stress and conflict. If monitoring and supervision are not available to help the adolescent female succeed, the likelihood of violence increases.
Source: Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence Web site