African-American Youth and Crime

Paper Summary:

In this article the writer discusses that African-Americans are arrested for crimes out of all proportion to their numbers. The writer notes that many claim prejudice, but others simply point to the facts. The writer relates that a higher percentage of African-Americans are arrested and imprisoned, because they are responsible for the bulk of criminal acts. The writer then questions whether these juvenile criminals are solely responsible for their actions. Further, the writer discusses whether the environment in which these children are raised gives rise to the affective disorders, the drug use and the culture of violence, that plagues many of these youngsters from their earliest years. The writer concludes that figures show conclusively that a variety of social ills have made African- Americans far more prone to engage in criminal activity - and in particular violent criminal activity - than any other ethnic group. The writer notes that as long as this situation continues, African-Americans will be a legitimate focus for the war on crime.

From the Paper:

"Economic depression, population decline, crime, out-of-wedlock births, and single parenthood have created a downward spiral that no amount of government has been able to stop. The new minority culture of drugs and crime is not only entrenched, it is growing continually worse. Drug use itself leads to the making of many other irresponsible decisions. By lowering the inhibitions, it causes the user to act more on impulse than might otherwise have been the case. Unsafe sex not only spreads potentially deadly diseases like AIDS, but also produces many unwanted children. Just as bad in many ways, is the fact that many of these children, while cared for, end up being raised by single parents. Juvenile delinquency, in particular, is a frequent consequence of this arrangement. And still more troublingly, juvenile delinquency is not just a personal or familial problem; it is a social problem as well. Children raised in broken homes are for more susceptible to becoming criminals than those raised in two parent households. The child's life is incomplete. He does not receive the attention or the guidance that he deserves. Psychologically, he believes that has been rejected by his society, by what he views as society in early childhood - his family. The missing parent leaves a void that must be filled."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fagan, Patrick. "The Breakdown of the Family: The Consequences for Children and American Society." Issues '98: The Candidate's Briefing Book, 6.11. The Heritage Foundation, 1998.
• Fox, James Allen and Zawitz, Marianne W. (2001) Homicide Trends in the United States. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 10.
• Garbarino, James, PhD. (2001) Where Do We Point the Finger of Blame? Journal of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. The American Medical Association, 155, 1.
• Psychiatric Effects of Media Violence. (1997) American Psychiatric Association. Public Information: Fact Sheet Series. American Psychiatric Association.
• Juvenile Crime Facts. (1997) Criminal Resource Manual 102. United States Department of Justice.

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