Hat Jugendgewalt ein Geschlecht? Eine Analyse der Erscheinungsformen, Entstehungsbedingungen und Entwicklungstrends der Gewalt von Mädchen im gesellschaftlichen Kontext

Abstract

There are many theories dealing with juvenile delinquency. In social science, recent research activities - drawn on traditional theories of constructivist socialization and of gender differences in socialization, particularly dealing with the causation of girls' violence - modify present models. Despite gender-specific theories resulting from such research activities, there remain many contradictions in existing theories. This paper critically discusses which, if any, of these approaches, and to what extent, they would be useful in explaining motivation and behavior of delinquent youth. This analysis of existing theories leads to another explanation of juvenile delinquency: Violent phenomena appear to be gender-independent and are a consequence of living in a competitive society, where adults as well as children of both sexes thrive to be respected as succeeding individuals. Despite surprised reactions, these phenomena include violent behavior that is not unknown to society.