Explaining Deviance by Adolescent Females

Abstract

The gender gap in deviance is well known. Why women's offending levels are much lower than men's is less evident. Three theoretical perspectives are influential. The first perspective applies mainstream criminological theories, typically based on male offenders, to female samples. The second perspective focuses on gender differences to explain differences in deviant behaviors of adolescent females and males. The third perspective emphasizes male-dominated constructions of knowledge. Each offers theoretical insights and generates numerous empirical studies. For better understanding of deviant behavior of adolescent females, constructs from all three theoretical perspectives should be integrated into comprehensive models.