My hypothesis is that females have a higher substance abuse than males issue which causes criminal involvement. Males are more likely to commit a crime while being under the influence than females. Males are also more susceptible to being apprehended to police than females. However, in recent years, female rates of arrest have risen tremendously throughout the last …show more content…
By comparing the various rates of female to male, I will be able to identify which gender has the highest proportion of offenses while under the influence. This will then help create a direction that will help identify the link that provokes youth to engage in criminal behavior while under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. In participant observation, I will attend a drug prevention class for delinquents who have suffered from substance abuse in the past and observe their behavior for a month. While observing everyone’s behavior, I will note the drug that everyone used, the crime they committed, and their competency post-arrest. This will allow me to make a link to see how the drug has if at all altered their personality, any mood changes, and to judge their personal skills amongst other peers. The study population consist of male/female, violent crimes such as: Aggravated robbery, felonious assault, and breaking and entering. I chose these crimes because the even though they are violent crimes, in juvenile court the best interest of the child is always the forefront of their ideology. Moreover, in most cases youth who have committed violent acts such as those previously stated will be transferred to a court that will provide them with a program of behavioral assistance. This is where my observing mechanism comes into play, I will analyze/interview which youth were under the influence at the time of their arrest. More importantly, under the influence of what substance. My data will come from comparing gender, and past data from BJS. The graph above displays the trends from 1980-2014 arrest for drug abuse