Age and gender differences in oppositional behavior and conduct problems: A cross-sectional household study of middle childhood and adolescence

Behavior problems among youths cannot be understood without explaining thei r age and gender differences, bur age and gender differences cannot be expl ained until they have been accurately described. In a household survey of 1 ,285 youths aged 9 to 17 years, there were no gender differences in opposit ional behavior. but aggression, property offenses, and status offenses were more common among boys. Levels of oppositional behavior were greater at yo unger ages, aggression peaked near the middle of this age range, and proper ty and status of tenses were more prevalent at older ages. These findings a re generally consistent with developmental models of conduct problems bur a re inconsistent with a recent model of gender differences and raise questio ns about the external validity of current taxonomies.