Abstract This paper focuses on the effects of violence in television programming on a youth's tendency for juvenile delinquency and violence. The introductory part of the paper thus examines the violent content in television programming, particularly programming geared towards children. This section discusses how violent content is often embedded in even the most innocuous children's programming. The next part of the paper looks at the ways television contributes to delinquent behavior among teens and children. This paper argues that television contributes to such behavior in three main ways. First, children tend to imitate the behavior they see on television. Second, depictions of violence and crime often desensitize young viewers to the dire consequences of these actions. Finally, such depictions often falsely give teens and children a much bleaker picture of the world around them, contributing to a "nothing to lose" worldview that can contribute to criminal behavior.
In the last section, the paper looks at ways in which media and television have contributed positively to the behavior and values of children and teens. Towards this, the various ways in which media can have positive effects are discussed.
From the Paper "In its evaluation of almost 10,000 hours of broadcast programming from 1995 to 1997, the National Television Violence Study found that 61 percent of television programs portrayed acts of violence. Most of this violence was glamorized, committed by characters that are otherwise presented as positive role models. While many of the violent acts that would cause serious harm or death in real life, the programs neutralize these lethal effects through the lack of painful effects or through humor (Center for Communication and Social Policy 1998). In addition, less that 20 percent of these programs devote airtime to the long-term effects of violence on the victims, their families, their friends or the community in general. Less than five percent of violent programs feature an anti-violence message. In fact, in more than one-third of these programs, the violent offenders go unpunished (Center for Communication and Social Policy 1998)."
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 The paper outlines the history of juvenile diversion programs in the United States, with a specific focus on California's juvenile diversion programs. The paper discusses the benefits and successes of these types of programs, looking at current diversion programs already in place. The paper examines literature that shows the financial advantages of juvenile diversion programs as compared to processing juvenile offenders through the criminal justice system. Finally, the paper concludes with recommendations for future studies on juvenile diversion programs.
Outline:
Introduction
Brief Background of Juvenile Delinquency and Attempts at Diversion
Support for Juvenile Diversion Programs Background of Juvenile Diversion Programs Pre-charge Diversion Programs Specific Juvenile Diversion Programs Currently in Use
Brief Overview of the Juvenile Court System
Cost-Comparison of Juvenile Diversion Programs and the Criminal Justice System
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 in the United States; in California 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. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention reports that on average, juveniles were involved in one-quarter of serious violent victimization annually over the last 25 years; juvenile offenders were known to be involved in about 1,100 murders in the U.S. in 2003; over 108,700 juveniles were in detention, correctional, or shelter facilities in 1995; and courts with juvenile jurisdiction disposed of more than 1.6 million delinquency cases in 2000."
Abstract This paper discusses how literature shows that adolescents who remain in school and are not frequently truant are less likely than their absent and truant peers to become involved with all kinds of criminal activities. It evaluates the theory that programs designed to reduce truancy behaviors will have the added benefit of reducing juvenile crime or at least reducing the risk that certain young people will become delinquent. It examines the most popular causes of truancy and looks at the factors which may well place a juvenile at risk for delinquency such as poverty, dysfunctional or one-parent families, high neighborhood crime rates and a tacit acceptance of certain forms of deviance, increased peer pressure to join gangs and poor academic performance. It evaluates how although school-based responses may not have the capacity to directly change family behaviors and/or attitudes, they can make a difference in the lives of at-risk students.
From the Paper "How effective are truancy programs in reducing risk of delinquency? In Charleston, South Carolina, Police Department Chief Reuben Greenberg, who came to the City in 1982, has implemented a truancy program that puts four uniformed officers on the street, every day, at the beck and call of school administrators reporting a truant student. The truancy patrol, which also involves juveniles themselves, picks up kids age 6 to 17 and then returns them to school. In its first four years, the program was associated with a 27 percent reduction in local juvenile crime - by keeping kids off the streets, and in school, Greenberg stated, crime rates decreased. Most significantly, juvenile-against-juvenile crime during typical school hours also plummeted. Between 1990 and 1994, not a single school-age student was shot, stabbed, beaten up or killed on a city street (Bennett, et al, 1996)."
Abstract This paper explores gender-specific programming for females. It explains that gender-specific programming is defined as services developed and/or targeted for either males or females. Gender-specific programming began in the early 1990s due to the increasing number of females entering the juvenile justice system; the majority of programs in place at that time were geared towards males.
From the Paper "Researchers working on the development of programs for females maintain that a gender-specific program should also address the particular issues and problems that affect females, not just programs that serve females exclusively. While both sexes in the juvenile justice system share some issues, each has their own unique needs and issues. Sexual abuse, physical abuse, substance abuse, poor academic performance, and teen pregnancy increase females' risk for delinquency. Females are considered the weaker of the sexes. They need positive female role models, a sense of belonging and emotional security to strengthen their resistance against delinquency. Their needs are different from males (Holsinger, 2003)."
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 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. "
Introduction
Pre- Trial Intervention
Drug Courts
Statutory Diversion
TASC Programs Mediation Programs Victim - Offender Mediation Programs Community Dispute Resolution Programs Alcohol Detoxification Centers
Manhattan Bowery Corporation
Decriminalization
Future of Diversion Programs Conclusion
Works Cited Page
From the Paper In today's society it has become necessary for the criminal justice system to attempt to employ mores alternatives to the traditional prosecution of cases. It was from this need that Diversion Programs were born. These programs were set up to benefit both the offender and the criminal justice system.
There are several benefits for offenders that these diversion programs offer. It allows an eligible offender to be quickly evaluated and have intervention proceed. After identified as an eligible offender, personalized help can be offered. Help such as drug and alcohol counseling, medical care and different forms of education. Diversion also lessens the trauma to the offender, from an emotional and economic point of view, due to facing possible criminal prosecution. As a whole, these programs give offenders an opportunity to be diverted out of the criminal justice system and get a second chance to redeem themselves.
