Culture, Gender, and Delinquency:

Abstract

Comparison of arrest and self-reported delinquency rates for American and Indian males and females (below age 18) suggests that the typically found gender-gap in crime/delinquency rates is not only probably universal, but also culturally variable. Specifically, while highly similar in many ways, American and Indian juveniles exhibit considerable differences in offense rates generally as well as across genders. This is especially the case for serious and public disorder forms of offense behavior; behavior likely to come to the attention of legal authorities. In light of contemporary theory, it is argued that these differences reflect differences in the delinquency inducing/reducing characteristics of American and Indian societies; especially as these affect males and females. Some characteristics of Indian society that may serve to reduce both official as well as actual rates of delinquent behavior are discussed.