Citation

Dennis JP. Fem. Criminol. 2012; 7(3): 220-233.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1557085111435537

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The impact of childhood gender polarization on adolescent problem behaviors and delinquent behaviors was measured through a survey of students in sociology and criminal justice classes. Three predictors were measured: parental gender-polarized attitudes during middle and late childhood, gender-coded activities during middle and late childhood, and parental heteronormative expectations regarding dating, romance, and marriage. Gender-coded activities increased the risk of problem and delinquent behaviors for both boys and girls, but gender-polarized attitudes affected only girls, and heteronormative expectations affected both female heterosexual and lesbian/bisexual respondents. Significant differences were found based on the race and social class of the respondents.

KEYWORDS: Juvenile justice; Juvenile delinquency;