Citation

Pepi CLOH. Women Ther. 1998; 20(4): 85-101.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J015v20n04_07

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The numbers of female adolescents entering the Juvenile Justice systems of this country are increasing at a rapid rate. Are these girls subjected to a gender bias that detains girls in greater numbers and for lesser offenses than their male counterparts? Drawing upon the work of juvenile justice experts, developmental psychologists and current research documents, this paper will put forth a theoretical framework for viewing the causal issues of female adolescent offending, the gender inequities in arrest, sentencing and program options and gender-specific treatment implications for mental health professionals. Giving recognition to Carol Giliigan's research on the developmental phenomenon of adolescent girls "losing their voice," issues of self-identity and self-advocacy will be discussed discussed from a feminist perspective. Mental health treatment methods in detention facilities will be examined with a critical look at the limited access female adolescents have to comprehensive counseling that addresses their victimization. Strength-based treatment planning based on a systems theory model will be explored as an effective method of facilitating the female adolescent's ability to self-advocate within a support network. This paper will call for a paradigm shift away from society's current retributive justice response to female adolescent offending and toward the healing model of restorative justice.