Abstract The paper discusses a research proposal to investigate whether a lack of social bonding is directly or indirectly related to juveniledelinquency. 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 juveniledelinquency, 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 relates that these two websites promote juveniledelinquency 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 discusses how in certain areas juveniledelinquency is a problem that seems to be out of control. The only way to solve the problem of juveniledelinquency 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 juveniledelinquency is complicated because there are numerous potential causes.
Abstract This paper examines the so-called evolution of the concept of "juveniledelinquency" 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 focuses on the effects of violence in television programming on a youth's tendency for juveniledelinquency 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 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 This paper contends that the rising incidence of juveniledelinquency is a responsibility of the society as it promotes media violence to the youth.
Abstract The paper explores how many programs and government agencies have attempted to address this dilemma of juveniledelinquency. The paper relates that on United States Indian reservations, the current approach to juveniledelinquency includes prevention, intervention and graduated sanctions. The paper offers reasons for the prevalence of this juveniledelinquency 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 JuvenileDelinquency Reasons for the Prevalence of JuvenileDelinquency 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 The social causes of juveniledelinquency 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 juveniledelinquency. It discusses the function of conflict theory, rational theory and symbolic interaction in relation to juveniledelinquency and offer a solution as to the best workable theory.
Introduction
History of JuvenileDelinquency Statistical Trends
Consequences of JuvenileDelinquency Theories of JuvenileDelinquency 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 juveniledelinquency 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 juveniledelinquency. 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 JuvenileDelinquency Environmental, Social and Cultural Issues
Solutions and Preventative Measures
The Role of Social Work in JuvenileDelinquency 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 paper relates the stage of adolescence and the manner in which it can lead to patterns of juveniledelinquency is an important topic to discuss because juveniledelinquency has become a major crime issue in the United States and elsewhere. The paper then reviews and discusses readings about several psychological theories relating to adolescence and juveniledelinquency. The paper points out that none of the readings explain why an adolescent who lives in the suburbs and in a generally positive environment may engage in criminal activity.
Table of Contents:
Resources / Summaries
Discussion Section
From the Paper "The readings also confirm my personal belief that adolescents students do better when their parents are involved in their education and upbringing. Parents that become involved in an adolescents education at school and in the community, result in higher grades and test scores, better attendance and regularly completed assignments, fewer placements in special education and remedial classes, and more positive attitudes and behavior in school. It appears that in the adolescent stage that there is no substitute for the consistency and nurturing provided by parental care, especially if the alternative is poorly funded childcare."
Tags: family, rational choice, symbolic interaction, gang intervention
Abstract This paper explains that the lack of family unity and parental guidance is the major contributing factor related to the rise of juveniledelinquency. The author points out that most researchers have found that troubled and delinquent children are more likely to come from families with a history of teen pregnancy, substance abuse during pregnancy, low birth weight and other types of birth complications, parent's criminal record or mental health problems, poor parental supervision, erratic child-rearing behavior, parental disharmony, and parental rejection of the child. The author relates that one of the first comprehensive studies of leisure and delinquency shows that time spent in organized leisure activities, passive entertainment, and non-competitive sports were negatively related to delinquency.
From the Paper "The State Bar of California commissioned the Carlton Research Company to question six hundred 10-14 year olds to find out how they thought affected themselves and found that most of the children interviewed did not know what is and is not legal. Although they knew killing someone or using illegal drugs was illegal, many did not know that truancy, breaking curfew, or fighting was illegal. Those interviewed "indicated that they are more likely to obey a law when they fear being caught"and are only half as likely to break curfew, skip school or break school rules if they believe their parents will find out?."
Abstract This paper examines the literature with regards to juveniledelinquency and juvenile justice. It reviews Randall G. Shelden's article, "Why are we so Punitive? Some Observations on Recent Incarceration Trends." It then discusses whether children who have been arrested more than three times should be given mandatory incarceration sentences and examines the literature with regards to punishing delinquency in juveniles.
Table of Contents:
A Review of Randall G. Shelden's Why are we so Punitive? Some Observations on Recent Incarceration Trends
"Should kids who have been arrested more than three times be given mandatory incarceration sentences?"
Two Articles that Explore Issues Related to Punishing Delinquency
From the Paper "Exposing the conditions of prisons and the impact of incarcerating youth in adult facilities, is changing the way juvenile offenders may be sentenced in the future. Nathaniel Abraham, a youth convicted of murder at the age of 11 was locked up in a juvenile facility for seven years as the Michigan judge denounced the prosecutors' requests to have the youth serve his sentence in an adult facility. The criminal justice system has an ethical responsibility in its treatment of youth. As Gregory C. Clarke, a Staten Island attorney argued, that youth have been abandoned by the system, their families and community supports. He stated that all too often, youth appear in his office, without a parent, relative, or advocate, and are left in the hands of the courts to determine their fate (Choo, 2000)."
Abstract There are many predictors of juveniledelinquency including drug addicted parents, gender differences, single parent homes, violence exposure, early adolescent aggression, psychological condition and school performance. This paper provides a literary review on the predictors of juveniledelinquency. The literary review was constructed using material from various sources including, "The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse", "Mental Health Weekly", "The Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology" and the "Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry". The paper also includes a section on theoretical constructs, the ways in which these predictors impact the application of psychology and a critical analysis.
From the Paper "The literature demonstrated that the predictors of juvenile delinquency in high income neighborhoods are different from those of low income neighborhoods. (Beyers, 2001) Beyers reports that predictors of repeated delinquency from the ages of 13-19 were explored in a longitudinal sample of 420 urban adolescent males living in high income neighborhoods. (Beyers, 2001) The study concluded that juveniles living in high income neighborhoods were less likely than juveniles living in low income neighborhoods to engage in delinquent acts. (Beyers, 2001)
The results of the study also indicated that predictors of juvenile delinquency in high income neighborhoods were more likely to be biologically based than in low income neighborhoods where predictors are usually based on ?poor parent--adolescent communication and early intercourse, appeared to be context-dependent.? (Beyers, 2001)"
Abstract This paper, describes the experience of the author during a visit to a juvenile court facility and what the author learned from that experience. The paper discusses the growing problem of juveniledelinquency and gang membership, the reasons for that increase, who is responsible for the behavior of juveniledelinquents and how the influence that gangs have on juveniles can be reduced. The paper also examines how laws regarding juveniledelinquents are enforced, the role of the federal government when it comes to the problem of juveniledelinquency and gang membership, the lack of social justice for minorities and the apparent hopelessness of the situation for many minority youth.
From the Paper "Delinquency is not an inherited trait, like some forms of diseases or alcoholism. It is acquired through parental neglect, poverty, environment, frustration at society, and, perhaps most important of all, peer pressure. Juvenile delinquency is no different from adult delinquency. It is a blatant and often persistent disregard for law and order, for moral and ethical standards and for the rights of others."
