Which of the following behaviors is NOT a status offense?

A status offense refers to behaviors that are considered undesirable or illegal only because of the age of the individual engaging in them. These offenses are typically actions that would not be crimes if committed by an adult.

Vandalism, on the other hand, is considered a criminal offense regardless of the age of the perpetrator. It involves willfully damaging property, which is against the law for all individuals, not just minors. Therefore, vandalism does not qualify as a status offense.

Other behaviors listed—such as skipping school, running away, and drinking alcohol—constitute status offenses because they relate specifically to the actions of minors. Skipping school, for instance, is an offense that applies only to children and adolescents who are required to attend school. Similarly, running away and underage drinking are both actions that minors are specifically held accountable for due to their age.

In summary, the correct answer identifies vandalism as the behavior that lies outside the category of status offenses, as it is universally illegal, transcending age distinctions.