GENDER DIFFERENCES IN AGE OF ONSET FOR DELINQUENCY: RISK FACTORS AND CONSEQUENCES

ABSTRACT

The age of onset of delinquency has long been viewed as a key indicator for further delinquency and criminality. However, studies on the risk factors for early onset of delinquency, age of onset, and the consequences of early onset have focused predominantly on males. The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences and similarities in risk factors for onset of drug use and frequency of arrest. It was hypothesized that 1) female early onset occurs at similar age from that of male early onset, 2) risk factors predictive of early onset will differ across genders, and 3) early onset in females will be predictive of frequency of subsequent arrests. OLS, logistic, and negative binomial regression analyses were used to evaluate these hypotheses regarding age of onset of delinquency, risk factors for onset, and frequency of arrest. Consistent with hypotheses, the presence of a distinct female group with early onset, although relatively small, does exist in these data. Differential predictors of early onset across gender are also presented. However, inconsistent with expectations, early onset was not a predictor of frequency of arrests among females. Implications of these findings for life-course studies of females are discussed.