A comparative review of the research literature on youth violence. This paper analyzes three current research articles that focus on the correlation between exposure to violence in youth with other variables such as: gender, race and ethnicity and neighbo
3,940 words (approx. 15.8 pages), 7 sources, 2001, $ 107.95
Abstract This paper presents a detailed discussion on the causes of violence and the risks of exposure to violence in youth. The author looks at three studies that research the above by investigating family functioning and community surroundings, personal victimization and relations to victims and effects of home and race.
From the Paper "Although the research compiled on the causation of violence in youth is endless, few studies have focused their attention onto the exposure of violence in youth as a cause of aggressive or violent behavior. Additionally, fewer studies have researched what the risks of exposure to violence in youth consist of. In order to decrease violence in our youth, we must be aware of the risks. To accomplish this goal, research must be conducted, reviewed and continued. Three recent studies on the risk of exposure to violence are discussed within. All three studies included minority adolescent participants and ranged from ages 10-19, while two of the studies included the adolescents? primary care providers. Independent variables in one study primarily focused on family functioning and community environments. The second study looked mainly at personal victimization and relationships to victims in violence witnessed. The third study's primary independent variables were devoted to household income and race/ethnicity. By conducting research through interviews and self-report questionnaires, performing statistical tests, including chi square and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), each of the studies found significant results in relation to a risk of violence exposure. Lastly, further research suggestions for different perspectives on exposure risks in youth are included."
Abstract A research about the violence in America, and a comparison to violence in Japan.The author examines social class issues, gun control, homicide rates and motivational factors that lead to violence.
From the Paper ?A question that seems to appear more and more in our society is: "Are Americans more likely than others to seek violent solutions to their problems"? Facts indicate that the United States is the most violent industrialized country in the world. Within this research paper, I will evaluate the homicide rates of the United States compared to Japan.?
Abstract This paper presents the argument that juveniles who commit violent crimes should be tried as adults. The writer uses several studies as well as other sources to illustrate the reason that juveniles who commit certain crimes should be tried as if they were adults.
From the Paper "Each year we are stunned to learn that a juvenile has committed a violent crime. They may have killed the little girl who lived next door, or they may have taken a gun into a school and murdered their teacher. They may have raped a child who they were supposed to be babysitting. The crimes change but the fact remains that every once in awhile juveniles commit heinous crimes."
Abstract This paper analyzes and examines the issue of racial profiling in law enforcement. In Part II, the history and arguments surrounding allegations of racial profiling are discussed. Part III examines the common traits of effective racial-profiling legislation. Finally, this paper concludes with recommendations for ending racial profiling and for implementing effective racial-profiling legislation.
From the Paper "Racial profiling is one of the most controversial issues facing law enforcement today. Whether police officers deliberately stop, question, search, or arrest certain individuals based solely on their race or ethnicity is increasingly being debated by civil rights groups, law enforcement officials, ordinary citizens, and politicians. Scandals involving informants and police officers who planted drugs and other evidence on certain individuals in California, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Philadelphia, Texas, and Washington state have resulted in numerous criminal cases and sentences being dismissed, reduced, or suspended."
Abstract This paper investigates the forensic science of criminal profiling. It gives a brief introduction of its history and first use, then explores how effective it has been in solving crimes. Arguments against its use are presented, and a conclusion on how to enhance its usefulness is also included.
From the Paper "When it comes to solving crimes, law enforcement agencies use numerous tools, resources, and people to aid them in their search for answers. One rather new resource comes from the field of forensic science, and more precisely from the field of forensic psychology. Law enforcement agencies use forensic psychologists to construct certain characteristics about a criminal who commits a certain crime; the characteristics are then formed into a criminal profile (offender profile in the United Kingdom). The law enforcement agencies then use these profiles to help identify, apprehend, and prosecute the criminals. This paper will examine criminal profiling to see whether or not it is an accurate and truly useful resource in the ever-evolving fight against crime."
Abstract This paper looks at the taboo subject of sexual harassment in the work place. It discusses laws and legislation which were made in order to define what exactly sexual harassment is, but at the same time shows the difficulty which is often accounted in telling the difference between "friendliness" and harassment.
From the paper:
"For anyone who has ever been the victim of it, sexual harassment is pretty simple to understand, and when unwanted sexual contact (whether verbal or physical) occurs in the workplace, it is especially unwelcoming because it threatens a person's ability to earn a living without being subjected to deeply personal invasions.Sexual harassment can end a career, ruin a family beyond repair and force victims into extensive psychotherapy and medication. It is entirely unacceptable in a nation whose public policy emphasizes equal employment opportunities for women and men. Sexual harassment in the workplaces compromises the victim's ability to function as a economic agent and so threatens (usually) her ability to live as an independent, autonomous member of society. When harassment is widespread in the workplace, a worker has no way to escape from its painful consequences except to drop out of the arena of paid work."
Abstract This paper explores the police use of racial profiling. It explains how some policemen use this racial profiling code to promote their own personal ethnic bias towards certain population groups. It argues that this method in fighting crime promotes institutional racism.
From the Paper "America is a beautiful place where people are supposed to live in peace and be treated equally. But, some people may disagree with because they are mistreated due their racial background. Racism has always been a problem everyone has to encounter at some point in his or her life. However, most people would not think that the police would contribute to the racism trouble that we have. Unfortunately, they encourage the negative issue by having a code called racial profiling. Racial profiling is where the police think certain minorities commit certain crimes. For instance, if most black men are drug dealers, then a black man will be accused of being one almost every time they come across a police officer. With that in mind, racial profiling is very wrong and should not exist in the police force. It also should not exist since it promotes discrimination against minorities. "
Abstract This paper looks at the issues relating to ethical conduct by law enforcement officials, including the basic concepts, ethical behavior and its motivation, ethical decision making, and finally, the impact of unethical conduct on effective law enforcement.
Contents
Basic Concepts of Law Enforcement Ethics
Ethical Behavior
Motivation for Ethical Behavior
Ethical Decision Making
The Effects of Unethical Behavior
Annotated Bibliography
From the Paper "Certain guidelines are also in place in order to ensure ethical behavior. Firstly law enforcement officials should ensure that they are acting within the rule of law as prevalent during the specific time period in which they operate (Alderson, 1979, p. 15). Secondly the internal rules of policing should also be followed in order to ensure correct conduct. If these rules are followed effectively, it should be evident in the absence of crime (Chu, 2001, p. 24). Police officers are however not only dependent on themselves for their ability to effectively perform their duties. The public also plays a substantial role in terms of their approval of the existence, actions and behavior of the law enforcement agency."
Abstract This paper examines the merits of juvenile boot camps as a way to contain the problem of juvenile delinquency, showing what the camps do and and how effective they are.
From the Paper "There are many ways to deal with juvenile delinquency: jail, rehabilitation, counseling our all common methods. I will examine juvenile boot camps as a new means of dealing with delinquency. Juvenile care facilities and juvenile detention centers have attempted to contain the problem of juvenile delinquency. These attempts have yielded mediocre results. Juvenile boot camps could turn out to be an effective way of combating the problem."
Abstract This essay is an argumentative paper which states both sides of the death penalty controversy and is opposition to capital punishment. The author chooses multiple points for, and against, the use of capital punishment regarding moral, ethical, and biblical standpoints.
From the paper:
"From the beginning of recorded history, there has always been a great deal of controversy over the concept of capital punishment. Is it moral" Is it a deterrent to crime? Is it effective? Is it efficient? Is it cruel and unusual punishment? These are all questions that we ask when discussing such a delicate topic. There are a wide variety of reasons as to why people are for or against the death sentence. Some are reasoned; others are purely emotional. From my point of view, capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime, and I don?t believe it should be in use today.?
Abstract This paper presents a detailed look at the positive and negative effects of capital punishment. The writer examines historical events on the topic and discusses the pros and cons to each viewpoint. There were twenty sources used to complete this paper.
From the Paper ?Few issues can get the public stirred up as well as the issue of capital punishment can. When we talk about the death penalty we open a very emotional subject that can become quite heated even between friends. For every argument one finds in favor of capital punishment there is a counter argument against it. It seems to be a never ending battle with each side making valid points. The positives and negatives of the dilemma end up becoming a personal choice based on which side most closely matches one's personal views."
Abstract The paper discusses how social structure theories attempt to analyze the driving forces that change society and that sociologists who study social change use the study of both criminology and sociology to draw conclusions about criminal behavior. The paper further explains that the three main branches of social structure theories are the social disorganization theory, the social strain theory and the cultural deviance theory. In this paper, the major social structural theories are defined and analyzed. The culmination of this paper addresses the question - How well have social structure theories explained delinquent behavior in society?
From the Paper "The strain theories express the discontent of Americans who fail to achieve the American dream. Crimes committed by white collar, middle class workers can be explained by the strain theories. An example of this is workplace violence, which, according to a Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Characteristics accounts for 18 percent of all violent crime between 1993 and 1999 . Unfortunately, it is not unheard of for a worker who was recently fired to return to his old employer to vent his anger by opening fire on anyone in site. Such violence demonstrates how competition to succeed prompts crime as the anomie theory contends."
Abstract The paper brings to light many theories on life and death and the good of the the whole versus the good of an individual to attempt to understand the practice of capital punishment. The writer looks at sources that defend capital punishment, opposing them with statistics that claim that incarceration is no more expensive than execution. In summary, the writer finds that Americans are split on whether or not they support capital punishment.
From the Paper "Criminal punishment is justified by one of two competing moral theories. Utilitarianism, which seeks to maximize happiness for all, justifies criminal punishment on one of three goals: general deterrence, specific deterrence, and rehabilitation. Each will theoretically reduce crime. General deterrence holds that criminals are punished because "it is believed that [their] punishment will cause other people to forgo criminal conduct in the future" (Dressler 5)."
Abstract This paper presents arguments in favor of the legalization of Marijuana. The author argues that legalization would benefit the economy and society by reducing crime and violence.
From the Paper "Slowly, the old man inhales the sweet smelling smoke and instantly relaxes. Time goes by slowly, stress melts like an ice cube, and the man feels a great sense of fatigue. Finally the man can go to sleep and rest in peace. These are just a few of the reasons people smoke marijuana. By making marijuana illegal, the government is deciding for the people what is healthy for them. Decriminalizing marijuana causes more harm than good. The war on drugs seems to be failing to achieve what it is meant for. Illegalizing marijuana violates civil liberties, causes social disorder, and increases crime and violence. The best solution to reduce these problems is to legalize marijuana for medicinal and recreational use."
This paper discusses the rise of the Community Orientated Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) program, showing the positive influence it has had on tough neighborhoods and the satisfaction a community feels in having helped make theirs safer.
1,100 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 25 sources, 2001, $ 38.95
Abstract This paper discusses the rise of the Community Orientated Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) program, showing the positive influence it has had on tough neighborhoods and the satisfaction a community feels in having helped make theirs safer.
From the paper:
"Crime is an issue of paramount social importance, one that directly and indirectly affects each and every member of society. The costs associated with crime are not merely financial. Emotional costs result when a criminal murders or severely injures an individual=s family member or close friend, or when an offender is incarcerated, depriving his or her family of the emotional and/or financial support. Public concern has increased over specific aspects of the crime problem in recent years, namely domestic violence, drug-related crime and violence, gang-related crime and violence, juvenile crime, prison reform, and the role of television in producing violence. Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) gathered momentum in the 1980s and focuses on partnerships between communities and police officers, i.e., empowering citizens to shoulder their share of the responsibility and tough work of making their neighborhoods safer."
