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School Context, Gender, and Delinquency

NCJ Number
104746
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1986) Pages: 79-98
Author(s)
J Fiqueira-McDonough
Date Published
1986
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study compares two high schools serving the same community and compares student bodies with similar background characteristics.
Abstract
The purpose is to examine how control/strain variables predict delinquency in two distinct school contexts. It was found that minor delinquency occurred more often in the environment dominated by competitive academic achievement, routine handling of discipline, and unpredictable supervision. Examination of the model paths suggests that this environment is also conservative and unlikely to offer legitimate opportunities to girls with gender-egalitarian orientation. The school context characterized by a broader definition of success, more specialized discipline, and predictable supervision promotes stronger bonds with its students and lower levels of delinquency for both genders. (Author abstract)