PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES OF FEMALE DELINQUENTS ON FAMILY AND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

This study is about understanding the perceptions of the female probationers, whom are used as proxy for female delinquents, in the context of their family and social systems. The other issues that are examined include their values and attitudes towards boy-girl relationships and pre-marital sex. This study is timely in view of the recent increase in the number of teenage girls getting into trouble with the law and the lack of understanding of them in the local context. The two main concerns of this study are: (1) The profile of the female probationers (2) The similarities and differences between the female probationers and the non probationers with regards to the above mentioned areas. A total of 40 girls are included in this exploratory study. Twenty of the girls coming for the Ministry of Community Development, are those being placed on probation while the rest are the non-probationers. The instruments utilised in this study comprise of an interview schedule, Delinquency Checklist (DCL) and Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA). Results of the study indicate that the girls have weaker attachments to their fathers. Generally there is not much of a difference between the two groups of girls though family life seems to have reduced its importance as most of the girls prefer to be with their friends. Due to perceived generation gap, majority of the girls expressed that they prefer to confide in their friends than with parents. Surprisingly enough, the attachment levels to peers are found to be higher in the non-probationers group. Most of the girls also felt that it is all right to start a relationship now and though most of them consider pre-marital sex to be wrong, a few of the girls do condone the act. Recommendations regarding on how to reach out and prevent femal delinquency in the local context are made towards the end of the study.