Age and Gender Differences in Involvement in Non-Illegal and Minor- Illegal Delinquent Behaviors among Adolescent Students in Secondary Schools in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Behavior problems of Kenyan secondary school students have continued to be a great concern. The study investigated age and gender differences in involvement in non-illegal and minor-illegal delinquent behaviors among adolescent students in secondary schools in Nairobi, Kenya. The participants comprised 219 females and 191 male students selected by use of stratified and simple random sampling methods. Data was collected using a researcher designed questionnaire. The independent variables were age and gender while the dependent variables were adolescents' non- illegal (noncompliance and truancy) and minor-illegal (violence, substance abuse and stealing) delinquent behaviors. A correlational survey design was employed and relationships were examined using correlation coefficient statistics. The findings revealed that adolescents' gender differences in involving in non-illegal delinquent behaviors was χ2 (2df, N=410) =3.709, p = .157 > .05. On the other hand, the adolescents' gender difference in involvement in minor-illegal delinquent behaviors was χ2 (2df, N=410) = (16.021) p = .000, < .05. There were significant age difference in adolescents' involvement in non-illegal, t =88.29 (df = 409), p = 000 < .05; and minor non-illegal delinquent behaviors, t = 91.623 df = 409, p = 000 < .05. The study recommended for the use of a multi-faceted approach to adolescents' behavior management in schools.