Looks at regions of the U.S. where teenage delinquency is prevalent and where it is less prevalent and examines the geographical conditions that contribute to delinquency.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 6 sources, 2002, $ 71.95
Abstract This eight-page undergraduate paper discusses spatial distribution of teenage delinquencies in the United States. It will explain where delinquencies are more prevalent and where they are less prevalent and how geography plays an important factor in such type of behavior.
Abstract This paper discusses how in certain areas juvenile delinquency is a problem that seems to be out of control. The only way to solve the problem of juvenile delinquency is to identify the potential causes. According to the paper, if we fail to determine the causes accurately then we can do much damage to the child. The issue of juvenile delinquency is complicated because there are numerous potential causes.
Abstract This paper examines some of myriad concepts of juvenile delinquency including differential association and social learning theories. The author points out the implications of these theories and how these critical approaches are applied to various acts of delinquency. The paper looks at specific offenses, such as shoplifting and drug use.
From the Paper "Juvenile delinquency is a growing problem in the Western, industrialized world. But while everyone admits that delinquency is a problem and one that should be dealt with lest the legions of offending youth swell, there is less agreement on what must be done or even what the underlying causes of delinquency might be. The purpose of this study is to examine some of myriad concepts of delinquency, the implications of those theories, and how those critical approaches are applied to various acts of delinquency. It is hoped that through this examination, a better understanding of the complexity of delinquency will be reached. Delinquency among juveniles is not a problem with a single, or easy, cause. The factors contributing to delinquency are numerous and must be understood as such if any headway is to be made against this growing social problem."
Abstract The paper discusses a research proposal to investigate whether a lack of social bonding is directly or indirectly related to juvenile delinquency. The paper suggests that activities or lack thereof may contribute to the likelihood that a youth will engage in violent behavior. The paper proposes that a lack of social bonding may be partly to blame. To achieve the goal of uncovering the effects of social bonding on juvenile delinquency, the paper proposes various questions to determine the cause.
Outline:
Introduction
Problem Statement
Theoretical Framework
Methodology
From the Paper "Juvenile delinquency is an increasingly trying and troubling problem within the United States. Studies show children that lack social bonding often join gangs, resulting in juvenile delinquency (Thornberry, Krohn, Lizotte, et al, 2003). The author's note adolescents and young adults stated they joined gangs for many reasons however, not necessarily a lack of social bonding. Rather, from their studies one may assume many individuals joined gangs because their family members or siblings were part of a gang (Thornberry, Krohn, Lizotte, et al, 2003). Even more report gang membership allowed them an opportunity to bond with other people in the gang. However, it is important to note that just as many people report they joined a gang to realize a sense of self, to bond with people because they had not the opportunity before to bond with others "
Abstract This paper looks at how juvenile delinquency is linked to the families the offenders come from. Links are examined in regards to the abuse of children during childhood, low levels of family affection and high levels of family conflict, the use of ineffective or inconsistent disciplinary practices and the structure of the family.
From the Paper "The first and most obvious cause in the family is most probably the lack of parental affection or parental rejection. This happens mostly in families whereby the parents are very busy, broken homes or those where arguments are part of a daily routine. Cernkovich and Giordano (1987) found that ?delinquent behavior in a large sample of high-school students was associated with parent-adolescent conflict, low parental acceptance and low parental caring and trust.? Children that feel rejected or unloved may sometimes find ways to attract attention. The ways children do so varies from just crying all day long or calling their parents every single second, to committing crimes. This is why some children of rejecting parents display aggressive behavior. Interactions between parents and child are also important to prevent the child from feeling rejected. J. Pincus said, ?Parenting that promotes interpersonal and communicative relations, academic and professional skills, as well as encourages the development of normative values and positive behavioral standards in children.? This positive interaction between parent and child is important in establishing a strong bond and the formation of appropriate behavioral characteristics in children."
Abstract This paper contends that the rising incidence of juvenile delinquency is a responsibility of the society as it promotes media violence to the youth.
Abstract This paper examines theories of delinquency, including social and developmental theories. The paper includes social learning, social control, strain, latent traits and integrated developmental theories. The paper discusses key social agents.
From the Paper "Social learning is based on the presumption that people learn how to behave from the groups they grow up with. Social learning, therefore, means that a child or youth who spends most of their time with others who engage in criminal behavior such as other kids who shoplift or perhaps older youths or adults who break into houses and steal things, would be more likely to shoplift and break into houses than the average child. Deviant behavior, just like conforming behavior, is a product of socialization."
Abstract This paper examines the so-called evolution of the concept of "juvenile delinquency" in late Victorian England. The object of the paper is to show that the notion of youth crime was considerably altered during this period--and has served as an exemplar of present-day systems.
From the Paper "The notion that juvenile delinquency in particular and crimes committed by child and adolescents in general were separate from crimes committed by adults is considered a recent construct. In fact it was not until the first half of the the 19th century in England that such a notion first came about. A corollary to this was the idea that these types of crimes and criminals should be treated differently from hardened adult criminals..."
Abstract This paper relates that these two websites promote juvenile delinquency prevention programs based on direct involvement of the community. The author discusses the beliefs of each site. The paper explains various aspects of the programs such as gender bias, whether it appeals to adults or juveniles and the overall effectiveness of the program.
From the Paper "Preventing juvenile delinquency has become a major concern in the past several decades, with juvenile crime seemingly on the rise and no one seems to have a clear sense of what to do about it. Some immediately blame the dissolution and transformation of the traditional family structure and call for traditional values and community involvement to prevent further delinquency (Hil, 1998). In fact, some studies have indicated that the family can be a causal factor in delinquency. Researchers have found that the general level of cohesiveness among non-traditional families is a good predictor of juvenile delinquency - though that proved not to be the case for traditional families (Matherne and Thomas, 2001). Of course, there's also extensive research that links delinquency and substance abuse (Delinquency linked, 2002)."
Abstract This paper examines how the family's status within society, the interaction with family members and the discipline meted out by the parent(s) present in the home, and the nature of the family as a unit all have something to do with shaping the children within it. It examines these interactions, with the expectation that juveniles: 1) whose families have a lower social status, 2) who experience physical or mental abuse, and 3) who do not have intact nuclear families are more prone to delinquency than those who do not meet these criteria.
From the Paper "Delinquents are not a new part of society. As long as there have been rules put forth to maintain the social order, these rules have been broken. And, as long as juveniles have been expected to conform to these rules, there have been juvenile delinquents. Yet blaming "society" for the creation of juvenile delinquents at all is specious, at best. As a whole, "society" generally does not have enough direct interaction with young people to force such behavior. Juveniles, however, interact with their families every day. The family's status within society, the interaction with family members and the discipline meted out by the parent(s) present in the home, and the nature of the family as a unit all have something to do with shaping the children within it. "
Abstract The paper explores how many programs and government agencies have attempted to address this dilemma of juvenile delinquency. The paper relates that on United States Indian reservations, the current approach to juvenile delinquency includes prevention, intervention and graduated sanctions. The paper offers reasons for the prevalence of this juvenile delinquency and reveals that although the crimes involving delinquent acts by juveniles on American Indian reservations are increasing, the causes are similar to the causes of delinquency of the general population.
Outline:
Brief Background of Juvenile Delinquency Reasons for the Prevalence of Juvenile Delinquency on Reservations
Conclusion
From the Paper "In the past few decades, juvenile delinquency has emerged as a significant criminal and sociological issue, raising concern among parents, educators, policy-makers and government officials alike. Juvenile delinquency has become a major crime issue on United States American Indian reservations; the public has been overwhelmed with stories from the media, providing graphic evidence of a crime wave generated by American Indian youth living on reservations. According to the Bureau of Prisons, the number of Indian youth in custody has increased by nearly 300% since 1994 (Johnson, 2004). Additionally, statistical data indicates that the arrest rate for Native American youth is about twice that of the overall youth population statewide in North Dakota (Martin, 2002)."
Abstract Juvenile justice system statistics of delinquent behavior, as compared to self report studies, fail to accurately reflect the extent of delinquency in the middle class. As such, the juvenile justice system purports that delinquency predominately occurs among lower class minors. The paper shows, however, that the extent of middle class delinquency and its varieties show that socioeconomic status does play a role in the outcome of these cases, revealing biases within the juvenile justice process along the way. The paper shows that although many theories of crime have linked low levels of socioeconomic status to high levels of delinquency, empirical studies have consistently found weak or nonexistent correlations between individuals' socioeconomic status and their self-reported delinquent behavior.
From the Paper "Police officers, too, who work in high-crime urban areas are probably more likely to arrest a minority juvenile for a minor offense, such as underage drinking than would an officer in a more wealthy suburb for the same offense whose beat covers mostly white neighborhoods. Likewise, an intake officer might be less likely to arrange an informal settlement for a minority child than for a child whose middle class parents made their presence known and were willing to assume future responsibility for the discipline and rehabilitation of the child. Further, a judge is probably more likely to view minorities as poorer risks than white children and thus incarcerate them more frequently. (Satterthwaite, 1997, p. 68)."
Abstract The social causes of juvenile delinquency encompass a wide array of theories that have been set forth by criminologists and sociologists. This paper analyzes and discusses the history, trends, statistics and consequences of juvenile delinquency. It discusses the function of conflict theory, rational theory and symbolic interaction in relation to juvenile delinquency and offer a solution as to the best workable theory.
Introduction
History of Juvenile Delinquency Statistical Trends
Consequences of Juvenile Delinquency Theories of Juvenile Delinquency Conflict Theory
Rational Choice Theory
Symbolic Interaction Theory
Conclusion
From the Paper "Juvenile delinquency has become a major crime issue in the United States. Questions and solutions regarding the problem of juvenile delinquency continues to be debated upon by parents, school officials, society, and legislators. The public has been overwhelmed with stories from the media, providing graphic evidence of a crime wave generated by our youth who, according to media reports, prey upon a defenseless public. This image of delinquent youth has brought with it a fear of crime among the public that is almost without precedent. Several of our political leaders have responded with calls for harsher treatment of youthful offenders and or an end to revolving door justice. Others have said that the harsh responses proposed are dehumanizing and do not address the sources of the problem from a sociological viewpoint."
Abstract This paper discusses the issues of juvenile delinquency in the United States and suggests that there are various surveys and reports that show clearly that the number of juvenile offenders is increasing. The paper discusses the possible reasons for this increase, as well as its implications. It then discusses environmental, social and cultural issues related to juvenile delinquency. Finally, the paper concludes with solutions and preventative measures for the problem.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
What is Delinquency The Importance of this Topic
General Causes and Conditions of Juvenile Delinquency Environmental, Social and Cultural Issues
Solutions and Preventative Measures
The Role of Social Work in Juvenile Delinquency Summary and conclusion
From the Paper "The issue of juvenile delinquency is a problem that is related to a wide complex of sociological, cultural, economic and psychological issues. There are many variables within society that impact on the development and the effects of delinquent behavior. The research on this subject reveals that among these various factors, the influence of peers and the family on the early development in children are of primary importance. Neither can one discount important factors such as economic conditions and environment as major aspects in the development of juvenile delinquency."
Abstract This essay provides an overview of various facets of juvenile delinquency, while concentrating on the different types of criminal behavior. The paper categorizes the crimes and behavior that constitute juvenile delinquency, discusses the legal side of juvenile delinquency, and presents statistics on which crimes are committed most often, who commits them most often, and where they most often occur.
From the Paper "In the United States, the Juvenile Justice System is the legal system through which cases involving minors are handled. The system was implemented into U.S. policy in 1899. The Juvenile Justice System was instituted during the Progressive Era, a period of social reform in the U.S. in the early twentieth century. It was initially designed to assist delinquent youth that were being dealt with within the adult system. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act called for a deinstitutionalization of juvenile delinquents. It required that states holding youth within adult prisons for status offenses remove them within a span of two years. Juvenile delinquency, according to the U.S. Code, is a violation of the law committed by a person under the age of 18 that would be considered a crime if it was committed by a person 18 or older. By federal standards all persons 17 and under are considered juveniles. Each state, however, has been given the authority to decide who, by age, may be tried in juvenile courts."
