Criminologists have noted a disturbing trend in the last few decades. Though men are still most often the perpetrators of murder, violent assault, and child molestation, more girls and women are becoming dangerous criminals. The news increasingly includes stories of mothers molesting or killing their children, female teachers having "affairs" with grade school boys, and young girls beating up or molesting other children. Simultaneously fascinated and repelled by these lurid accounts, people often wonder out loud: How could a mother or young girl do such a thing?

This is the first book to explore the full scope of girls and women behaving badly. From inappropriate sexual behavior to brutal murders, forensic psychologist Dr. Larry A. Morris relies on thirty years of personal clinical experience with perpetrators and victims of interpersonal violence to reveal why an alarming number of girls and women are now walking down dangerous paths to destruction.

But this book is much more than a walk through the forbidden side of femininity. It provides a fresh perspective on the complex biological, developmental, psychological, and sociocultural forces driving girls and women to molest and murder. Blending humanity with scientific rigor and evocative case material, the book draws readers into the direct experiences of dangerous girls and women, their families, and the professionals who try to understand and help them. Along the way, readers also learn practical ways to prevent these grievous acts from creeping into their lives.