Juvenile delinquency
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Juvenile delinquency refers to criminal acts performed by juveniles. It is an important social issue because juveniles are capable of committing serious crimes, but most legal systems prescribe specific procedures.
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[edit] Nature and causes
Juvenile Delinquency may refer to either violent or non-violent crime committed by persons who are (usually) under the adult age (In the United States, 18). However, there is much debate about whether or not a child should be held criminally responsible for his or her own actions. There are many different inside influences that are believed to affect the way a child acts both negatively and positively, some of which are as follows:
[edit] Theoretical Perspectives on Juvenile Delinquency and Crime
[edit] Travis Hirschi
A scholar in the field of crime and juvenile delinquency as well as other areas, has numerous theories about juvenile delinquency. A few of his most praised theories are social control theory which is any illegal behavior that occurs within the moment, not planned. Also, self control theory which is any behavior that uses force or fraud in pursuit of self interest. Both are similar theories that attempt to explain juvenile delinquency and suggest that all people are naturally bad. Hirschi believes that youth in particular who use drugs and commit crime do it because they lack self control. Hirschi believes that poor parenting and families that are unable or unwilling to monitor their child's behaviors lack self control. For these theories to play out in an effective manner, self-control would need to work before social control can work. Hirschi believes that whoever is the most conformist in society, not necessarily the smartest, will have the most self-control. Travis Hirschi is saying that too much autonomy is undesirable when dealing with interpersonal relationships among children.
[edit] Robert Merton
Merton believes that there is a serious relationship between poverty and crime. His theory suggests that if you are poor you are more likely to commit crimes and become a criminal. He feels that there are institutionalized paths to happiness in our society. He believes in a society of equilibrium where goals = means. A society of disequilibrium would be adaptation. Merton's Strain Theory suggests five attributes.
- Innovation: individuals who accept socially approved goals, but not necessarily the socially approved means.
- Retreatism: those who reject socially approved goals and the means for acquiring them.
- Ritualism: people who buy into system of socially approved means but lose sight of the goals (Merton believed that drug users are in this category).
- Conformity: those who conform to the system's means and goals.
- Rebellion: people who negate socially approved goals and means by creating a new system of acceptable goals and means.
[edit] Delinquency Prevention
Delinquency Prevention is the broad term for all efforts aimed at preventing youth from becoming involved in criminal, or other antisocial, activity. Increasingly, local, state, and federal governments are recognizing the importance of allocating resources for the prevention of delinquency. Organizations such as The Center for Delinquency Prevention and Youth Developmentare working toward unifying delinquency prevention efforts. Because it is often difficult for states to provide the fiscal resources necessary for good prevention, organizations, communities, and governments are working more in collaboration with each other to prevent juvenile delinquency.
Because the development of delinquent behavior in youth is influenced by numerous factors, so should prevention efforts be comprehensive in scope. Prevention services include activities such as substance abuse education and treatment; family counseling; youth mentoring; parenting education; educational support; and youth sheltering. Although those who provide prevention services are often well educated, well trained, and dedicated, they are frequently underpaid, and underrecognized for their work. Agencies that provide prevention services typically run on "shoe string budgets" and appreciate any financial help they can get from individuals, social organizations, and governments.
[edit] Bibliography
- E
Mulvey, MW Arthur, ND Reppucci, "The prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency: A review of the research", Clinical Psychology Review, 1993.
- Edward P. Mulvey, Michael W. Arthur, & N. Dickon Reppucci, "Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency: A Review of the Research", The Prevention Researcher, Volume 4, Number 2, 1997, Pages 1-4.
- Regoli, Robert M. and Hewitt, John D. "Delinquency in Society", 6th ed., 2006.
- Siegel, J Larry. "Juvenile Delinquency with Infotrac: theory, practices and law", 2002.
- United Nations, Research Report on Juvenile Delinquency. [1]
- Zigler E, Taussig C, Black K., "Early childhood intervention. A promising preventative for juvenile delinquency", Am Psychol. 1992 Aug;47(8):997-1006.
- Gang Cop: The Words and Ways of Officer Paco Domingo (2004) by Malcolm W.Klein
- The American Street Gang: Its Nature, Prevalence, and Control (1995), by Malcolm W. Klein
- Street Gang Patterns & Policies (2006) by Malcolm Klein and Cheryl Maxson
- American Youth Violence (1998) by Franklin Zimring
- Street Wars: Gangs and the Future of Violence (2004) by Tom Hayden
- Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun 1995() by Geoffrey Canada
- Violence: Reflections on a National Epidemic (1996) by James Gilligan
- Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them (1999) by James Gabarino
- Last Chance in Texas: The Redemption of Criminal Youth (2005) by John Hubner
- Breaking Rank: A Top Cop’s Expose of the Dark Side of American Policing (2005) by Norm Stamper
[edit] See also
- Crime
- Hooliganism
- Parenting
- Separatism
- Revolution
- Rebellion
- Glen Mills Schools
[edit] External links
- Center for Delinquency Prevention & Youth Development Resources for families, providers, and community leaders.
- Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
- Youth at the United Nations
- Prevention Talk Online conversations about prevention.
- CJCJ.org The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice
- NDTAC.org The National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk
- The Juvenile Justice Role Model Development Program - Florida State University
