Juvenile offenders in general, male and female, typically have less education, more mental health problems, more aggression, and higher rates of abuse and poverty than juveniles who are not involved in criminal behavior.
Both boys and girls in the justice system are more aggressive, have more mental health problems, The two most important factors that separate violent female offenders from their male counterparts ar
(1) females‘ higher rates of mental health issues, such as anger, depression, and suicidal thinking; and
(2) the fact that female offenders more often have histories of victimization, violence, and abuse than males.and experience more risk factors such as child abuse or poverty in comparison to their non-offending counterparts.
Many women first become involved with the juvenile or criminal justice system as victims. Other ways include drug and alcohol use, economic marginality, and involvement with either a male or female gang. Both girls and boys have similar stresses related to family life, school, peers, and puberty
