Male and Female Delinquents' Attachments and Effects of Attachments on Severity of Self-Reported Delinquency

Abstract

Although there has been considerable research on attachment and delinquency, few studies have focused on gender differences. This study used a survey of adolescent boys and girls incarcerated in the Wyoming Boys' and Girls' Schools to examine (a) differences in boys' and girls' level of attachment to parents, peers, and school; and (b) the effects of the various attachments on the severity of boys' and girls' self-reported delinquency. The results show no differences in boys' and girls' levels of attachment. However, gender differences in the effects of the various attachments on severity of delinquency were found. Attachment to parents reduced the severity of boys' delinquency, whereas attachment to peers and school reduced the severity of girls' delinquency.

Girls' Self-Perception of Reputation and Delinquent Involvement

“…This finding supports the reputation theory proposition that suggests girls who are delinquent have close ties to peers (Giordano, Cernkovich, and Pugh, 1986;Emler, 1984) and that closeness to a peer group is a critical factor in the self-presentation of a delinquent reputation (Emler, Reicher, and Ross, 1987;Hopkins and Emler, 1990). This finding also is consistent with research that shows the importance of bonding to peers and peer socialization for girls (Anderson et al, 1999;Giordano, 1978;Giordano, Cernkovich, and Pugh, 1986;Figueira-McDonough, 1985;Heimer, 1996;Hoyt and Scherer, 1998;Morash, 1986).…”

“…Results of the current study also support past studies that have shown that bonds to school are important factors in girls' delinquency (Anderson et al, 1999;Archwamety and Katsiyannis, 1998;Cernkovich and Giordano, 1992;Erickson et al, 2000;Hamalainen and Pulkkinen, 1995;Lewin et al, 1998;Rosenbaum and Lasley, 1990). The findings of this study underscore the need to examine school-related variables in the study of girls' delinquency.…”

“…For example, it is common for girls to engage in delinquent behavior with their peer group (Cernkovich and Giordano, 1979;Emler, Reicher, and Ross, 1987;Giordano, 1978;Giordano, Cernkovich, and Pugh, 1986). Bonding to peers has been related to girls' delinquency (Anderson et al, 1999;Giordano, Cernkovich, and Pugh, 1986;Hoyt and Scherer, 1998;Morash, 1986) and when girls are bonded to prosocial peers, these relationships moderate delinquency (Giordano et al, 1986;Kruttschnitt, 1996). Other studies have found that the perception of approval from friends contributed to girls' delinquent involvement (Giordano, 1978;Figueira-McDonough, 1985).…”

School commitment and alcohol use: The moderating role of race and ethnicity.

“…Prior studies of the association between school bonds and alcohol use have largely found that the stronger a student's affective bond to schooling and commitment to educational goals, the less likely that student is to engage in delinquency (Anderson, Holmes & Ostresh, 1999;Crum, Ensminger, Ro & McCord, 1998;Jenkins, 1997) and, more specifically, substance use (Bahr, Marcos, Anastasios & Maughan, 1995;Costa, Jessor & Turbin, 1999;Mason & Windle, 2001;SimonsMorton, et al, 1999;Sutherland & Shepherd, 2001). While these studies have increased our understanding of the association between various school bonds (including school commitment) and teen delinquency, important questions remain unanswered.…”

“…Criminologists have found that other school related variables, including school commitment, are strong predictors of delinquency and teen substance use (Anderson, et al, 1999;Bahr et al, 1995;Costa, et al, 1999;Crum et al, 1998;Hawkins, Catalano & Miller, 1992;Jenkins, 1997;Jessor, Van Den Bos, Vanderryn, Costa & Turbin, 1995;Maguin & Loeber, 1996;Mason & Windle, 2001;Simons-Morton et al, 1999;Sutherland & Shepherd, 2001). Indeed, some scholars have suggested that school bonds are among the strongest predictors of delinquency and substance use (Empey, 1982;Kelly & Balch, 1971).…”