Girls' violence myths and realities (State University of New York Press, 2004)
Includes bibliographical references and index
A contemporary crisis? - Christine Alder - Anne Worrall -- - Rough girls, 1880-1930 : the "recent" history of violent young women - Barry Godfrey -- - Twisted sisters, Ladettes and the new penology : the social construction of "violent girls" - Anne Worrall -- - Racism, "girl violence" and the murder of Reena Virk - Sheila Batacharya -- - Turbulent talk : girls' making sense of violence - Michele Burman -- - Capturing girls' experiences of "community violence" in the United States - Laurie Schaffner -- - Coming out to play? : young women and violence on the street - Jenny J. Pearce -- - Violence in the schoolyard : school girls' use of violence - Sibylle Artz -- - Situational effects of gender inequality on girls' participation in violence - Jody Miller - Norman A. White -- - Glossary of UK/Australian terms by chapter
"This critical collection brings together some of the best contemporary research on the perceived increase in girls' violence. With perspectives from the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, the work challenges official definitions and media representations of girls and violence. Contributors discuss whether violence by girls has actually increased, what kind of behavior by girls is classified as "violent," how attitudes toward girls' behavior have changed, in what contexts girls behave violently, and look at the links between girls' violence and the broader issues of the social construction and social control of adolescent femininities. With diverse essays representing different geographical and disciplinary perspectives, this book offers, at times, contradictory evidence and conflicting views. However, common concerns are clear and the reader is rewarded with an exploration of the struggles of girls and young women to take control of their lives in material and ideological conditions that continue to restrict their options and opportunities."--BOOK JACKET.