Girl Delinquency in Hong Kong: Implications for Gender-specific Programmes

Abstract

The continuing rise of girl delinquency has recently aroused the attention of the public. However, little of a systemic nature is known of the patterns and causes of girl delinquency in Hong Kong. To uncover the nature of and pathways to girl delinquency, this study interviewed 20 girls, aged 11 to 18. Based on the self-reported data and the official criminal records collected, the study identified three common typologies of girl delinquency, namely occasional, drifting and structural deviants. The study discusses the interactional effect of several underlying social factors, such as parental monitoring, gang influence, self-esteem and gender ideology, that may lead to the onset and continuation of girl delinquency. In particular, factors like self-esteem and gender ideology together formed a structural background, which continue to influence the girls on how they defined deviant behaviour and on engaging in such behaviour. Based on research findings, this paper discusses some gender-specific social work programmes for delinquent girls.