Research findings showed that courage, strength, and appropriate timing of a violent attack were focal concerns of males. The establishment of inmate hierarchies in institutions for young males had an obvious sexual connotation. Most incidents of aggression committed in public started as ritualistic, mostly verbal, attacks on inmates used as scapegoats. Violent incidents of a more serious nature occurred at night when staff were not present. Violent conflict between female adolescents followed different patterns from those of males. Ritualistic aggression as physical fighting or assault played no major part in violent incidents among females. Physical outbreaks of aggression were observed mainly as self-inflicted lacerations and suicide attempts or as revolting against staff. When fights occurred in public, they were only carried out to the point of subduing an opponent. Group participation was the exception rather than the norm. Data on patterns of interpersonal violence between inmates and staff revealed occasional staff involvement in the escalation of force. Although male units experienced some of the same characteristics as female units, respective gender courses of masculinity and femininity seemed to create different regimes, rules, and sanctions. Gender stereotypes linked to the experience of violence are viewed as a consequence of socialization in marginal contexts. Further, these stereotypes may have damaging effects on educational, vocational, and treatment efforts in juvenile institutions. 52 references and 10 notes