Capstone: Female Juvenile Delinquency – The PCWG's Experience

The topic of juvenile delinquency and gang behaviour is often discussed in terms of male delinquents. Not many people have considered the issue of female delinquents and their possible gang behaviours. The reality is that there is a growing number of female delinquents involved gangs, substance-abuse, theft, soliciting, and white-collar crimes. Some examples of the factors promoting such behaviours include coming from a lower income family, having parents' that face marital stress or mental and emotional instability. These factors lead to socially maladjusted and emotionally troubled youths who lack emotional connection with their families, or youths that are unable to relate well to authority and others.