title: The sex distribution of children in care.
abstract: It is shown that there is a substantial and sustained disparity, both on a national and on a regional basis, between the numbers of males and the numbers of females in care. The disparity is analysed by examining the reasons for entering care, and the legal status of those in care. It is shown that in the aggregate the disparity is caused by imbalances in admissions, particularly in certain key legal and administrative categories. The phenomenon is also shown to have both geographical and accommodation dimensions, and some conjectures for its behavioural origins are offered.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012744:Sex Ratio; D014852:Wales