Gender, neighborhoods, and delinquency

Abstract

Using a sample of 678 African Americans derived from the Family and Community Health Study (FACHS), this current research project challenges the gender-invariant hypothesis of social disorganization theory (SDT) and argues that SDT has largely neglected neighborhood effects on girls’ delinquency. This study finds that delinquency is unevenly distributed across and within neighborhoods between girls and boys. In addition, I indicate that gender differences in delinquency will be reduced when girls and boys live in equalitarian neighborhoods compared to patriarchal neighborhoods. Furthermore, this study also finds that the effects of collective efficacy depend on the conditions of gender and neighborhood gender equality. Finally, this study reveals that the combination of neighborhood gender equality and neighborhood poverty, through collective efficacy and supportive parenting, are highly salient factors in determining the likelihood of girls’ and boys’ delinquency. Results show evidence of gender-stratified neighborhoods. Thus, gender-specific neighborhood prevention programs should be developed.