Introduction
A status offense is a non-criminal act committed by a minor citizen. Hence, a person may be arrested for skipping school, violating a local curfew, refusing the authority of parents, or consuming alcohol and tobacco (“Status offenses by juveniles,” 2021). These actions are illegal due to a specific age and do not apply to the adult population (McKinney, 2019). By the way, such deeds are not serious crimes but may entail severe consequences for young people. “Immorality” of a 15-year-old teenage girl is one of the clearest examples of demonstrating status offense.
Analysis of the Case
The manifestation of immorality, indecency, unscrupulousness, and incorrigibility of a 15-year-old girl in the 30s of the last century within the framework of minor acts is one of the cases with a female involved in a status offense. According to the expert, such incidents have been a widespread phenomenon since the creation of juvenile justice systems in the United States due to bias against all girls (Rosenthal, 2018). Many females were disproportionately held responsible for engaging in non-criminal activities (McKinney, 2019). Therefore, based on the case’s context, the “bad” deeds of the young girl were expressed based on her desire to help her family survive difficult times. Nevertheless, according to the representatives of the law, the priority in the performance of labor activity, as opposed to learning in school, was considered “disobedience” — a strict offense.
Summarizing the Offense Committed
In 1935, in Minnesota, the court perceived one girl as a “naughty” teenager, behaving in a generally unacceptable way. According to O’Connor (2019), the “indecent” behavior of this girl was expressed in school absences, non-appearance after curfew, and escapes from home — minor “status offenses.” It is noteworthy that the reason for these actions is the desire to earn money to provide for a family by performing in a nightclub in the state. Thus, having become pregnant by a 35-year-old nightclub manager, the court found her “incorrigible,” placing her in a special facility until the age of maturity.
Outcomes and Solutions
Eventually, this girl was sent to a correctional institution — Minnesota Home School for Girls, where she had to receive primary education, work experience in the field, as well as master self-service and housekeeping skills. Punishment in prison included a restricted diet, slapping, solitary confinement, and forced immersion in a bath with cold water (O’Connor, 2019). As a young mother, the girl was obliged to feed the child for three months after she was taken to another place, and at 21, she was already free.
In general, expanding opportunities and improving policies are one of the best solutions to eliminate juvenile delinquency. In this case, it is necessary to improve the prospects of the younger generation, expand support and provide greater access to services to realize justice and equality now and in the future (Sanders, 2021). Accordingly, the Government should focus on reducing crime rates and move towards community-based approaches by reducing inequality and creating broad opportunities.
Conclusion
Summarizing the above, it is necessary to emphasize that a status offense is an act committed by a minor. For example, a 15-year-old girl may be considered “immoral” and fall under the law due to absenteeism at school or a long absence from home. Having violated the law, girls are imprisoned until the age of 21. Today, the Government needs to take radical measures to eliminate child crime for the benefit of the whole society.
References
McKinney, S. (2019). Female status offenders. The Encyclopedia of Women and Crime, 1-6. Web.
O’Connor, S. (2019). When ‘incorrigible’ teen girls were jailed. The New York Times. Web.
Rosenthal, L. (2018). “Criminal boys and immoral girls“. Vera Institute of Justice. Web.
Sanders, C. (2021). State juvenile justice reforms can boost opportunity, particularly for communities of color. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Web.
Status offenses by juveniles. (2021). Justia. Web.