Abstract This paper discusses the history of social disorganization, and then applies the theory to juvenilecrime in general. It further discusses juvenilecrime in the United States, and then juvenilecrime as it exists in San Francisco, California. The paper then relates this information to policy changes in the juvenile criminal justice system, and makes proposals for city-wide changes.
From the Paper "The social disorganization theory contends that urban areas are more susceptible to juvenile crime because there is a lower sense of moral values within the community (Shelley 26). In rural areas there is great attention paid to the community and a child's involvement in the organizations it supports. Furthermore, these communities ensure that the organizations created for youth have built in morals and values that support those of the family, and therefore, have a positively profound affect on youth (Shelley 26). However, in poorer urban areas organizations for youth are often not funded, and when they are, there are societal tensions that infiltrate these organizations, often splitting the boundaries of who may belong with regard to race, gender, and social status. Furthermore, urban organizations that exist are not based upon family morals that are universal to all cultures within an urban setting. "
Abstract This paper analyzes the V-Chip technology from a public policy point of view, with focus on its impact on juvenilecrime. The paper opens by describing how juvenilecrime is on the rise and how many feel there is a link between television violence and juvenilecrime. The author then discusses how and why the V-Chip was developed as part of a public policy allowing parents to control access to television programs by their children. The paper then shifts to an evaluation of the technology, why it hasn't been successful, and why it's not a good public policy to be mandated by the government. The author closes by offering some suggestions as to how juvenilecrime can be reduced by treating the underlying causes.
Abstract This paper consists of two essays, the first on the arguments for and against keeping the juvenile justice system, and the second on the effects of religion and family on juvenilecrime. The first essay looks at how juveniles might be treated in adult courts.
From the Paper "Several recommendations have been made for changes in the juvenile courts without abolishing them altogether. Juveniles are protected by International Law from execution and it has become jus cogens ..."
Abstract This piece is a overview of the impact of the media on juvenilecrime. The author looks at the problem by focusing on the ethical implications involved. The author begins by describing how many analysts believe there is a link between the media and the rising amount of juvenile violence in America. The author analyzes the reasoning behind those who believe the media has an ethical obligation to restrict amounts of "offensive' material. The author then takes a critical stance, pointing out that no criminal act has ever been linked to the media and that censorship is not a viable option because it would not solve the underlying issues. The author then argues, from a law enforcement perspective, that parents need to better prepare their children to handle the influence of the media. Situations in which children are abused, neglected, and economically displaced are also a key cause of juvenilecrime and need to be addressed.
Abstract For more than two decades, researchers, clinicians, and juvenile justice program administrators have become increasingly concerned about the link between substance abuse and juvenilecrime. This paper shows that, due to this connection, various programs are being implemented across the United States to treat the juvenile offenders in order to help deter substance abuse. In turn, this should also help deter future criminal actions.
From the Paper "By way of comparison, law enforcement authorities arrested just over four thousand teens for rape and two thousand one hundred and seventeen for homicide. In other words, the police arrest teens for liquor law violations, drunkenness and disorderly conduct at forty-five times the rate they arrest juveniles for murder and rape combined. Many of these juveniles could have avoided the system, but substance abuse has pulled them in. The worst part is, arrests of juveniles for liquor law violations are up sixteen percent, drunkenness arrests are up fourteen percent, and disorderly conduct arrests are up fifteen percent. The statistics for underage alcohol abuse keeps increasing, which means that more and more juveniles are being put into the system and many have not been receiving the correct treatment."
Abstract This paper looks at how to reduce juvenilecrime through community-based involvement strategies. The paper begins by discussing the first stage of prevention and the need for after-school programs uniquely tailored to the demographic needs of the community. The paper then explains the second stage of reducing recidivism through family involvement and therapy-based programs and the third stage of treating juveniles already incarcerated. The paper emphasizes that the system must treat offenders as individuals and provide incentives for youths to choose a path other than the easy, short-term rewards of a life of crime.
Outline:
Step 1: Prevention
Step 2: Reducing Recidivism
Step 3: Treatment for Juveniles Already in 'the System'
From the Paper "As with so many things in life, when it comes to preventing juvenile crime, an 'ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.' In other words, the ideal method of containing juvenile crime is to make a life of crime less attractive to potential young offenders. This is important not simply to reduce rates of criminality amongst the most vulnerable population of our society, but also to reduce crime later on, as youthful criminals are likely to become more hardened, career criminals after they age out of the juvenile justice system. Most chronic juvenile offenders are under the age of 15 when they commit their first offense (Sprague 2003:5)."
Abstract Desperate for anything that might lower the high rate of juvenilecrime in the United States, researchers have begun examining the link between self-esteem education and juvenilecrime rates. This paper shows how many schools have turned to self-esteem theory, which professes that teaching children to feel good about themselves will help them make moral decisions, which, in turn, can keep them from crime. The paper examines several programs, such as STARS and Project HYDRA, and explores their effectiveness.
From the Paper "As early as 1975, research began to emerge as to the link between self-esteem and crime. Howard Kaplan (1975) conducted extensive research into the causes of violence, in a study of 7th graders, and concluded that self-esteem is a main factor in crime and violence (Kaplan, 1975). A study by Thomas Kelley in 1978 reported a direct correlation between juvenile crime and low self-esteem. Kelly found evidence of a link between increased self-esteem and a reduction of delinquent behavior. He found that if programs were implemented to raise self-esteem, the incidence of juvenile crime was reduced (Kelly, 1978)."
Abstract The first part of this paper examines arguments for emphasizing punishment as a deterrent to crime. It looks at the success of this approach and discusses the implications of such an approach to the social work profession. The next part then looks at rehabilitation as a way of curbing juvenilecrime. The paper argues that this approach creates more involvement for social workers, since various programs created to address the problem of at risk and delinquent youths. Because such problems are largely the result of socio-economic factors, the only effective way to address the problems of at risk youth and to stem youth delinquency is through programs that address these combined factors as a whole. In the conclusion the paper argues for a greater focus on this second approach, as a long-term solution towards curbing juvenile delinquency and crime.
Introduction
Punishment
An Argument for Rehabilitation
The Role of Social Workers
Works Cited
From the Paper "The best solutions to the issue of youth delinquency are pro-active ones that address the problems before they escalate to criminal behavior. Towards this, community organizations could hold parenting classes to teach young parents the importance of caring attachments with their young children. This is particularly important for young single mothers, who could easily be overwhelmed by the responsibilities of providing for a young child.
In conclusion, the increase in the number of at risk youth stems from a convergence of socio-economic factors. The only effective solutions therefore involve concerted effort of parents, families, schools and the community at large. It is in this respect that social workers can make an immense contribution."
Abstract This paper analyzes data and figures that relate to female juvenilecrime in order to assess the current trends of this phenomenon. It notes that there was an increase in female crime, but male crime remained stagnant. It also looks at the types of crime and explains that violent crime was also on the increase.
From the Paper "Much has been made of how the media practically compels women to think of themselves as objects. If a girl is not beautiful and successful in the ways depicted in advertising"and few are"then she would have to have the inner strength obtained by having adequate family and organizational/institutional support. So, one can posit one reason as the media and advertising images girls have to contend with, and at just that pubescent period of their lives when they are probably feeling a little lost in various ways in any case."
Abstract This paper examines two differing attitudes towards deterring juvenilecrime in Florida: The state agency that deals with juvenile offenders, and Janet Reno, ex-Attorney General of the United States. The state agencies wish to protect the public at all costs by minimizing youth crime, but not to work on the problem of the youth itself. It explains how this differs form Janet Reno who advocates focusing on youth at risk, in particular devising educational settings where troubled youth can receive counseling and have an opportunity to rekindle an interest in learning.
From the Paper "The public has a strong interest in how juvenile offenders are handled, because some juveniles have committed horrific crimes. For example, in 2004 Robert Acuna, then 17 years old, was convicted of executing two elderly neighbors "execution style." He then stole their car. The jurors had to consider whether there were any factors, such as his young age, that should argue for any kind of leniency (Liptak, 2005). However, court observers noted that his courtroom behavior may have worked against him. The prosecutor, Renee Magee, described him as "nonchalant" and laughing at inappropriate times. She said, "He still didn't quite get the magnitude of everything he did." (Liptak, 2005)"
Abstract Those individuals who suffer or are harmed from juvenilecrime have, in the past, been excluded in the adjudication (specifically the sentencing) of their cases for reasons of confidentiality rights accorded to accused juvenile offenders. This paper examines a change in that trend for the development of policies and practices that will not only prosecute those juveniles who have committed offenses, but to include those who have been victimized in the court procedures.
From the Paper "In the adjudication of juvenile criminal offences, the juvenile court should consider a number of factors. In the case of minor offences, the court should be concerned with providing a sentence which best attempts to protect the community (i.e., with respect to both punitive and restorative justice). However, in the case of serious or violent criminal offences, in addition to attempting to protect the community, there is a need to consider the rights of those who are the victims of juvenile crime."
Tags: adjuction, procedure, justice, community, witness, victim, rights, politics, children
Abstract This paper discusses the criminal justice approach to juvenilecrime and correction. It specifically discusses the issue of juveniles being tried in adult courts and the pros and cons of this step. The paper also discusses the changes in the ways that juveniles have been tried over time.
From the Paper "The Approach to Juvenile Crime: Arguments and Alternatives The issue of juveniles being tried in adult courts has become vigorously debated in the past few decades. The juvenile justice system was established to prevent juveniles from experiencing adult punishments, a system that is now a useless inclusion in the justice system in the opinion of many. This is evident as there are those in society who believe that juveniles that commit crime should not receive special treatment due to age, but should be equally prosecuted with their adult counterparts to deter the rising youth crime rate in the nation - a crime rate that is accented by the occurrence of violent crimes by youth at a growing rate. Others contend that trying juveniles in adult courts has become too common in society, and results in America's youth being aggressively sentenced, abused by adults, and influenced by criminal minds in state prison systems."
Abstract This study examines the media coverage of juvenilecrime, focusing on the 1924 murder of a 14-year-old boy, Robert Franks by two older teenagers, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb. The paper follows the coverage among the many newspapers in Chicago at the time. An examination of coverage by the major papers (this study focuses on The Chicago Daily News) makes clear at least two central elements-- the boys were anomalies of human nature and their behavior should be seen as unacceptable.
From the Paper "The murders took place at a time when the United States was self-satisfied. The First World War was largely forgotten, the Roaring Twenties were in full bloom, peace and economic prosperity were everywhere. It simply did not make sense that juveniles who came from such a happy and successful society (and who in fact enjoyed the very best that that society had to offer, as children of wealthy and powerful families) could become such calculating, cold-blooded killers."
Abstract This paper examines, through a literature review, the issue of whether juvenile offenders should be punished in the same way as adults in light of the increase of crimes involving juvenile offenders and also the level of violence associated with such crimes. In response to the perceived skyrocketing in juvenilecrime, states throughout the country have passed a variety of measures to send more juvenile offenders to criminal court. Historically our criminal justice system has encouraged law enforcement officials and prosecutors to focus on rehabilitation when it comes to juvenile offenders since law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and researchers believed that youths often make mistakes and are more able to learn and re-train their behavior than adult offenders who are often more jaded and violent. It evaluates how the decision to prosecute a juvenile offender as an adult has momentous consequences for the individual involved, with the juvenile offender frequently being confined with the general adult inmate population, arguably increasing the likelihood of recidivism since the juvenile offender will be exposed to "new" crimes as well as techniques for avoiding punishment.
From the Paper "There is a large array of literature concerning juvenile offenders and the issue of whether juveniles should be tried as adults. Presently there are three possible mechanisms used to allow juvenile offenders to be tried as adults. Judicial waiver involves a juvenile court judge transferring an adolescent to criminal court based on, among other things, the seriousness of the crime, the offender's history, and the chances of the offender repeating his or her act. (Steinberg). Direct file policies allow the prosecutor to decide whether to file charges against a juvenile offender in criminal or juvenile court. (Steinberg). Finally, under statutory exclusion, certain categories of juveniles are automatically tried in adult criminal court. (Steinberg). Statutory exclusion is generally determined by a combination of age and the seriousness of the offense. (Steinberg)."
Abstract This paper examines the rise of juvenile delinquency, including the factors responsible for the high rise in crime, and suggests steps by which it can be curbed. It discusses how juvenilecrime is a major problem for people nowadays, how young children have resorted to acts of brutality and violence, and even acts of rape, assault, robbery, and homicide. It shows how the rates of juvenilecrime have been fluctuating throughout the years and how the U.S. government has not done much to counter this problem.
Outline
What is Juvenile Delinquency
JuvenileCrime Reasons for JuvenileCrime Family Life
Poverty Line, Discrimination, Lack of Opportunities
Media Factor
Drug Use
From the Paper "Drug usage and substance abuse are one of the strongest factors contributing to juvenile violence. Juvenile delinquents get hooked to drugs or alcohol from an early age. These drugs are easily available to them at their hangout places. Drug usage among delinquents had taken a sharp decline in the earlier years but now the usage has increased drastically. Drug use affects the person as it ruins his/her perception. It enables the person to resort to things they haven?t done before. Due to dependence on drugs a lot of juveniles commit crimes as they need a constant flow of cash to support their habit. This can propel into a very dangerous situation as it can lead to violent crimes such as murders or armed robbery."
