Juvenile delinquency refers to criminal acts performed by juveniles. Schools of thought In the mid-18th century criminology arose as social philosophers gave thought to crime and concepts of law Penology (from the Latin poena, " Punishment " comprises Penitentiary Science: that concerned with the processes devised Anomie, in contemporary English language is a sociological term that signifies in individuals an erosion diminution or absence of personal norms standards or values In Criminology, Differential Association is a theory developed by Edwin Sutherland proposing that through interaction with others individuals learn the values attitudes Deviance describes actions or behaviors that violate cultural norms including formally-enacted rules (e Originating in Sociology and Criminology, labeling theory (also known as social reaction theory) focuses on the linguistic tendency of majorities to negatively In Criminology, the Rational Choice Theory adopts a Utilitarian belief that man is a reasoning actor who weighs means and ends costs and benefits and makes a rational In Criminology, Social Control Theory as represented in the work of Travis Hirschi In Sociology, the Social Disorganization Theory was one of the most important theories developed by the Chicago School, related to ecological theories For the article on social learning theory in psychology and education see Social cognitive theory. In Criminology, the strain theory states that Social structures within Society may encourage Citizens to commit crime In Criminology, subcultural theory emerged from the work of the Chicago School on gangs and developed through the symbolic interactionism school into a Symbolic interactionism is a major sociological perspective that is influential in many areas of the discipline Victimology is the study of victimization including the relationships between victims and offenders the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system -- that is the police In Criminology, blue-collar crime is any crime committed by an individual from a lower Social class as opposed to White-collar crime which is associated In Criminology, corporate crime refers to crimes committed either by a Corporation (i "Crime syndicate" redirects here For the DC Comics group of villains see Crime Syndicate. In Criminology, a political Crime is one involving overt acts or omissions (where there is a duty to act which prejudice the interests of the State For relevant case law see Public order crime case law in the United States In Criminology public order crime is defined by Siegel (2004 In Criminology, Public order crime case law in the United States is essential to understanding how the Courts interpret the policy of laws where In Criminology, state crime is activity or failures to act that break the State 's own Criminal law or Public international law. In Criminology, the concept of state-corporate crime or incorporated governance refers to crimes that result from the relationship between the policies of the State Within the field of Criminology, white-collar crime or 'incorporated governance' has been defined by Edwin Sutherland as "a crime committed by a person of respectability The term victimless crime refers to infractions of Criminal law without any identifiable Corpus delicti, or evidence of an Individual that Plaid-collar crime is an act of Theft or related criminal offence that directly affects farm workers such as the theft of produce or farm stock and equipment This article refers to deterrent theories of punishment For other uses see Deterrence (disambiguation. A prison, penitentiary, or correctional facility is a place in which individuals are physically confined or interned and usually deprived of a range of Prison reform is the attempt to improve conditions inside Prisons aiming at a more effective Penal system. Psychological abuse; White noise: The endless playing of random static (similar to that of unused TV frequencies with no pattern this can cause insanity and mental The movement for prisoners' rights is based on the principle that Prisoners even though they are deprived of Liberty, are still entitled to basic Human rights Rehabilitation means To restore to useful life as through therapy and education or To restore to good condition operation or capacity. Recidivism ( IPA: /ɹɪˈsɪdɪvɪzm̩/ From recidive + ism, from Latin recidīvus "recurring" from re- Retributive justice is a Theory of Justice that considers that proportionate punishment is a morally acceptable response to Crime, with Utilitarianism is the idea that the moral worth of an action is solely determined by its contribution to overall Utility, that is its contribution to happiness In the sociological field, crime is the breach of a rule or Law for which some governing authority or force may ultimately prescribe a Punishment In law the term minor (also infant or infancy) is used to refer to a person who is under the age in which one legally assumes Adulthood and is legally Most legal systems prescribe specific procedures for dealing with juveniles, such as juvenile detention centers. The three major legal systems of the world today consist of civil law, Common law and Religious law. There are a multitude of different theories on the causes of crime, most if not all of which can be applied to the causes of youth crime. Schools of thought In the mid-18th century criminology arose as social philosophers gave thought to crime and concepts of law Youth crime is an aspect of crime which receives great attention from the news media and politicians. The news media refers to the section of the Mass media that focuses on presenting current News to the public Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions Crime committed by young people has risen since the mid-twentieth century, as have most types of crime. The level and types of youth crime can be used by commentators as an indicator of the general state of morality and law and order in a country, and consequently youth crime can be the source of ‘moral panics’ [1] Theories on the causes of youth crime can be viewed as particularly important within criminology. Morality (from the Latin la moralitas "manner character proper behavior" has three principal meanings A moral panic can be defined as "the intensity of feeling expressed by a large number of people about a specific group of people who appear to threaten the social order at a given Schools of thought In the mid-18th century criminology arose as social philosophers gave thought to crime and concepts of law This is firstly because crime is committed disproportionately by those aged between fifteen and twenty-five. [2] Secondly, by definition any theories on the causes of crime will focus on youth crime, as adult criminals will have likely started offending when they were young. A Juvenile Delinquent is one who repeatedly commits crime, however these juvenile delinquents could most likely have mental disorders/behavioral issues such as schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder. It has been stipulated that the term 'Juvenile Delinquent' is actually a contradiction in terms. Contradictio in terminis ( Latin: contradiction in terms) refers to a combination of words whose meanings are in conflict with one another This idea is used early on in Robert Heinlein's science fiction novel Starship Troopers. Robert Anson Heinlein (July 7 1907 – May 8 1988 was an American Novelist and Science fiction Writer. Starship Troopers is a Science fiction Novel by Robert A Heinlein, first published (in abridged form as a serial in The Magazine
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Theoretical Perspectives on Juvenile Delinquency
Rational Choice Theory
Classical criminology stresses that causes of crime lie within the individual offender, rather than in their external environment. As commonly used, individual refers to a Person or to any specific object in a collection For classicists, offenders are motivated by rational self-interest, and the importance of free will and personal responsibility is emphasised[1]. The question of free will The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 ( PRWORA,) is a United States federal law considered to be a fundamental shift in both the method Rational choice theory is the clearest example of this approach. Rational choice theory, also known as rational action theory, is a framework for understanding and often formally modeling social and economic behavior It states that people weigh the pros and cons of committing a crime, and offend when the former outweigh the latter. [3] A central deficiency of rational choice theory is that while it may explain when and where people commit crime, it can’t explain very well why people choose to commit crimes in the first place. [4] Neither can it explain differences between individuals and groups in their propensity to commit crimes. James Q. Wilson said the conscience and self-control of a potential young offender must be taken into account, and that these attributes are formed by parental and societal conditioning. James Q Wilson (born May 27, 1931) in Denver, Colorado is the Ronald Reagan Professor of Public policy at the Pepperdine Conscience is a hypothesized Ability or faculty that distinguishes whether our actions are right or wrong Self control is perceived in a few ways One of which is philosophical and might be described as the exertion of one's own will on one's personal self - their behaviors actions A parent is a Father or Mother; one who sires or gives A society is a Population of Humans characterized by patterns of relationships between individuals that share a distinctive Culture and Institutions [1] Rational choice does not explain why crime should be committed disproportionately by young people, males, city dwellers, and the poor. Male (♂ refers to the sex of an organism or part of an organism which produces small mobile Gametes called spermatozoa. Poor is an Adjective related to a state of Poverty, low Quality or Pity. (Walklate: 2003 p. 2)[4] It also ignores the influence a young persons peers can have on them, and the fact that some youths may be less able to accurately foresee the consequences of their actions than others. [4] Rational choice theory does not take into account the proven correlations between certain social circumstances and individuals’ personalities, and the propensity to commit crime. Personality psychology studies personality based on theories of individual differences [5]
Social disorganization theory
Current positivist approaches generally focus on the cultural and socio-economic environment to which a young person has been exposed, and how these conditions may be criminogenic. In Criminology, the Positivist School has attempted to find scientific objectivity for the measurement and quantification of criminal behavior Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate" generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic Socioeconomics or socio-economics is the study of the relationship between economic activity and Social life. [6] These theories de-emphasise individual agency, and stress criminal behaviour is largely determined by factors outside a young person's control. [1] Social ecology or social disorganisation theory says crime is generated by the breakdown of traditional values and norms. In Sociology, the Social Disorganization Theory was one of the most important theories developed by the Chicago School, related to ecological theories Traditional values refer to those Beliefs Moral codes, and Mores that are passed down from generation to generation within a Culture, Subculture [1] This was most likely to occur in urban areas with transient populations and high levels of migration, which would produce the breakdown of family relationships and community, competing values, and increasing impersonality. Family denotes a group of People affiliated by consanguinity affinity or co-residence In biological terms a community is a group of interacting Organisms sharing an environment. [4]
Strain theory
Strain Theory is associated mainly with the work of Robert Merton. In Criminology, the strain theory states that Social structures within Society may encourage Citizens to commit crime He felt that there are institutionalized paths to success in society. A society is a Population of Humans characterized by patterns of relationships between individuals that share a distinctive Culture and Institutions Strain theory holds that crime is caused by the difficulty those in poverty have in achieving socially valued goals by legitimate means. Poverty (also called penury) is deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life including food clothing shelter and safe Drinking water, and [1] As those with, for instance, poor educational attainment have difficulty achieving wealth and status by securing well paid employment, they are more likely to use criminal means to obtain these goals. [5] Merton's suggests five adaptations to this dilemma:
- Innovation: individuals who accept socially approved goals, but not necessarily the socially approved means.
- Retreatism: those who reject socially approved goals and the means for acquiring them.
- Ritualism: those who buy into a system of socially approved means, but lose sight of the goals. Merton believed that drug users are in this category.
- Conformity: those who conform to the system's means and goals.
- Rebellion: people who negate socially approved goals and means by creating a new system of acceptable goals and means.
A difficulty with strain theory is that it does not explore why children of low-income families would have poor educational attainment in the first place. More importantly is the fact that much youth crime does not have an economic motivation. Strain theory fails to explain violent crime, the type of youth crime which causes most anxiety to the public.
Subcultural theory
Related to strain theory is subcultural theory. In Criminology, subcultural theory emerged from the work of the Chicago School on gangs and developed through the symbolic interactionism school into a The inability of youths to achieve socially valued status and goals results in groups of young people forming deviant or delinquent subcultures, which have their own values and norms. Deviance describes actions or behaviors that violate cultural norms including formally-enacted rules (e For the term in biology see Subculture (biology. For the song by New Order see Sub-culture (song. (Eadie & Morley: 2003 p. 552) Within these groups criminal behaviour may actually be valued, and increase a youth’s status. (Walklate: 2003 p. 22) The notion of delinquent subcultures is relevant for crimes that are not economically motivated. Male gang members could be argued to have their own values, such as respect for fighting ability and daring. Gangsters redirects here For the computer game see Gangsters (video game. The ComBat was an Aluminium Cricket bat and the subject of an incident that occurred at the WACA cricket ground in Perth in December 1979. However it is not clear how different this makes them from ‘ordinary’ non-lawbreaking young men. Furthermore there is no explanation of why people unable to achieve socially valued goals should necessarily choose criminal substitutes. Subcultural theories have been criticised for making too sharp a distinction between what is deviant and what is ‘normal’. (Brown: 1998 p. 23) There are also doubts about whether young people consciously reject mainstream values. Mainstream is generally the common current of Thought of the Majority. (Brown: 1998 p. 23)
Differential association
The theory of Differential association also deals with young people in a group context, and looks at how peer pressure and the existence of gangs could lead them into crime. It suggests young people are motivated to commit crimes by delinquent peers, and learn criminal skills from them. The diminished influence of peers after men [Marriage|marry] has also been cited as a factor in desisting from offending. There is strong evidence that young people with criminal friends are more likely to commit crimes themselves. However it may be the case that offenders prefer to associate with one another, rather than delinquent peers causing someone to start offending. Furthermore there is the question of how the delinquent peer group became delinquent initially.
Labeling theory
Labeling theory states that once young people have been labeled as criminal they are more likely to offend. Originating in Sociology and Criminology, labeling theory (also known as social reaction theory) focuses on the linguistic tendency of majorities to negatively (Eadie & Morley: 2003 p. 552) The idea is that once labelled as deviant a young person may accept that role, and be more likely to associate with others who have been similarly labelled. A role (sometimes spelled rôle) or a social role is a set of connected Behaviors Rights and Obligations as conceptualized by actors (Eadie & Morley: 2003 p. 552) Labelling theorists say that male children from poor families are more likely to be labelled deviant, and that this may partially explain why there are more lower-class young male offenders. Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions (or stratification) between individuals or groups in Societies or Cultures. (Walklate: 2003 p. 24)
Juvenile delinquency as a male phenomenon
Youth crime is disproportionately[7], committed by young men. Feminist theorists and others have examined why this is the case. Feminism is a discourse that involves various movements theories, and Philosophies which are concerned with the issue of Gender difference, advocate (Eadie & Morley: 2003 p. 553) One suggestion is that ideas of masculinity may make young men more likely to offend. Being tough, powerful, aggressive, daring and competitive may be a way of young men expressing their masculinity. In Psychology and other social and Behavioral sciences aggression refers to behavior that is intended to cause harm Competitiveness is a comparative concept of the ability and performance of a firm sub-sector or country to sell and supply goods and/or services in a given Market (Brown: 1998 p. 109) Acting out these ideals may make young men more likely to engage in antisocial and criminal behaviour. (Walklate: 2003 p. 83) Alternatively, rather than young men acting as they do because of societal pressure to conform to masculine ideals; young men may actually be naturally more aggressive, daring etc. As well as biological or psychological factors, the way young men are treated by their parents may make them more susceptible to offending. Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and (Walklate: 2003 p. 35)
Risk factors
Individual risk factors
Individual psychological or behavioural risk factors that may make offending more likely include intelligence, impulsiveness or the ability to delay gratification, aggression, empathy, and restlessness. Behavior or behaviour (see spelling differences) refers to the actions or Reactions of an object or Organism, usually Intelligence (also called intellect) is an Umbrella term used to describe a property of the Mind that encompasses many related abilities such as the capacities Gratification is the positive emotional response ( Happiness) to a fulfillment of desire In Psychology and other social and Behavioral sciences aggression refers to behavior that is intended to cause harm Empathy is the capacity to recognize or understand another's state of mind or Emotion. (Farrington: 2002) Children with low intelligence are likely to do worse in school. Stupidity (also called fatuity) is the property a Person, action or Belief instantiates by virtue of having or being indicative A school (from Greek σχολεῖον - scholeion) is an Institution designed to allow and encourage Students (or "pupils" This may increase the chances of offending because low educational attainment, a low attachment to school, and low educational aspirations are all risk factors for offending in themselves. (Walklate: 2003 p. 2) Children who perform poorly at school are also more likely to truant, which is also linked to offending. Truancy is any intentional unauthorized absence from Compulsory schooling. (Farrington: 2002 p. 682) If strain theory or subcultural theory are valid poor educational attainment could lead to crime as children were unable to attain wealth and status legally. However it must be born in mind that defining and measuring intelligence is troublesome. Young males are especially likely to be impulsive which could mean they disregard the long-term consequences of their actions, have a lack of self-control, and are unable to postpone immediate gratification. Self control is perceived in a few ways One of which is philosophical and might be described as the exertion of one's own will on one's personal self - their behaviors actions This may explain why they disproportionately offend. (Farrington: 2002 p. 682) (Walklate: 2003 p. 36) Impulsiveness is seen by some as the key aspect of a child's personality that predicts offending. (Farrington: 2002 p. 682) However is not clear whether these aspects of personality are a result of “deficits in the executive functions of the brain”, (Farrington: 2002 p. The brain is the center of the Nervous system in animals All Vertebrates and the majority of Invertebrates have a brain 667) or a result of parental influences or other social factors. (Graham & Bowling: 1995 p. 32)
Family environment
Family factors which may have an influence on offending include; the level of parental supervision, the way parents discipline a child, parental conflict or separation, criminal parents or siblings, parental abuse or neglect, and the quality of the parent-child relationship (Graham & Bowling: 1995 p. Parental supervision is a Parenting technique that involves looking after or monitoring a child's activities In its most general sense discipline refers to systematic instruction given to a Disciple. sEParation is an EP by Destroy Babylon, released on May 4th 2007 Child abuse is the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment of children 33) Children brought up by lone parents are more likely to start offending than those who live with two natural parents, however once the attachment a child feels towards their parent(s) and the level of parental supervision are taken into account, children in single parent families are no more likely to offend then others. A single parent (also lone parent and sole parent) is a Parent who cares for one or more children without the assistance of another parent in the home (Graham & Bowling: 1995 p. 35) Conflict between a child's parents is also much closely linked to offending than being raised by a lone parent. (Walklate: 2003 p. 106) If a child has low parental supervision they are much more likely to offend. (Graham & Bowling: 1995) Many studies have found a strong correlation between a lack of supervision and offending, and it appears to be the most important family influence on offending. (Farrington: 2002 p. 610) (Graham & Bowling: 1995 p. 38) When parents commonly do not know where their children are, what their activities are, or who their friends are, children are more likely to truant from school and have delinquent friends, each of which are linked to offending. (Graham & Bowling: 1995 p. 45,46) A lack of supervision is connected to poor relationships between children and parents, as children who are often in conflict with their parents may be less willing to discuss their activities with them. (Graham & Bowling: 1995 p. 37) Children with a weak attachment to their parents are more likely to offend. (Graham & Bowling: 1995 p. 37)
--~~~~Insert non-formatted text here ---- ---- ==Delinquency prevention== Delinquency Prevention is the broad term for all efforts aimed at preventing youth from becoming involved in criminal, or other antisocial, activity. Increasingly, governments are recognizing the importance of allocating resources for the prevention of delinquency. Because it is often difficult for states to provide the fiscal resources necessary for good prevention, organizations, communities, and governments are working more in collaboration with each other to prevent juvenile delinquency.
With the development of delinquency in youth being influenced by numerous factors, prevention efforts are comprehensive in scope. Prevention services include activities such as substance abuse education and treatment, family counseling, youth mentoring, parenting education, educational support, and youth sheltering. this is.
See also
- Deviant behavior
- Juvenile delinquency in the United States
- Person in need of supervision
- Status offense
- Teen courts
- Victimology
- Youth
- Youth court
References
- ^ a b c d e f Eadie, T. Deviance describes actions or behaviors that violate cultural norms including formally-enacted rules (e In the United States, a juvenile delinquent is a person who has not yet reached the Age of majority, and whose behavior has been labeled as a Juvenile delinquent by Person in need of supervision, or PINS is a term frequently used by social services agencies in the United States to describe a juvenile who is not currently A status offense is an action that is prohibited only to a certain class of people and most often applied to Offenses only committed by minors. Teen courts are authorized by Law in many states in America Their purpose is to provide an alternative disposition for juveniles who have committed a Delinquent Victimology is the study of victimization including the relationships between victims and offenders the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system -- that is the police Youth is the period from infancy or childhood to maturity Usage Around the world the terms "youth" " Adolescent " "teenager" and Teen courts are authorized by Law in many states in America Their purpose is to provide an alternative disposition for juveniles who have committed a Delinquent & Morley, R. (2003) ‘Crime, Justice and Punishment’ in Baldock, J. et al (eds) Social Policy (3 rd edn. ) Oxford: Oxford University Press
- ^ Walklate, S (2003) Understanding Criminology – Current Theoretical Debates, 2nd edition, Maidenhead: Open University Press.
- ^ Farrington, D. P. (2002) ‘Developmental criminology and risk-focused prevention’ in M. Maguire et al (eds) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology (3rd edn. ). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- ^ a b c d Walklate, S (2003) Understanding Criminology – Current Theoretical Debates, 2nd edition, Maidenhead: Open University Press.
- ^ a b Brown, S (1998) Understanding Youth and Crime (Listening to youth?), Buckingham: Open University Press.
- ^ Walklate, S (2003) Understanding Criminology – Current Theoretical Debates, 2nd edition, Maidenhead: Open University Press.
- ^ Violence by Teenage Girls: Trends and Context, Office of Justice Programs, U. S. Department of Justice
- Brown, S. (1998) Understanding Youth and Crime (Listening to youth?), Buckingham: Open University Press.
- Farrington, D. P. (2002) ‘Developmental criminology and risk-focused prevention’ in M. Maguire et al (eds) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology (3rd edn. ). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Graham, J. & Bowling, B. (1995) Young People and Crime, Home Office Research Study No. 145, London: Home Office.
- Walklate, S. (2003) Understanding Criminology – Current Theoretical Debates, 2nd edition, Maidenhead: Open University Press.
- Eadie, T. & Morley, R. (2003) ‘Crime, Justice and Punishment’ in Baldock, J. et al (eds) Social Policy (3 rd edn. ). Oxford: Oxford University Press
Bibliography
- E. Mulvey, MW Arthur, ND Reppucci, "The prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency: A review of the research", Clinical Psychology Review, 1993.
- Edward P. Mulvey, Michael W. Arthur, & N. Dickon Reppucci, "Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency: A Review of the Research", The Prevention Researcher, Volume 4, Number 2, 1997, Pages 1-4.
- Regoli, Robert M. and Hewitt, John D. "Delinquency in Society", 6th ed. , 2006.
- Kuzhinapurath, Thomas, "Palamthettunna Kaumaram", in Daivajanam, Trivandrum, India, 2000.
- Siegel, J Larry. "Juvenile Delinquency with Infotrac: theory, practices and law", 2002.
- United Nations, Research Report on Juvenile Delinquency (pdf).
- Zigler E, Taussig C, Black K. , "Early childhood intervention. A promising preventative for juvenile delinquency", Am Psychol. 1992 Aug;47(8):997-1006.
- Gang Cop: The Words and Ways of Officer Paco Domingo (2004) by Malcolm W. Klein
- The American Street Gang: Its Nature, Prevalence, and Control (1995), by Malcolm W. Klein
- American Youth Violence (1998) by Franklin Zimring
- Street Wars: Gangs and the Future of Violence (2004) by Tom Hayden
- Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun (1995) by Geoffrey Canada
- Violence: Reflections on a National Epidemic (1996) by James Gilligan
- Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them (1999) by James Gabarino
- Last Chance in Texas: The Redemption of Criminal Youth (2005) by John Hubner
- Breaking Rank: A Top Cop’s Expose of the Dark Side of American Policing (2005) by Norm Stamper
External links
- Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
- CJCJ.org The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice
- The Juvenile Justice Role Model Development Program - Florida State University
- Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime - major study at Edinburgh Law School
- The Prevent Delinquency Project
- Past Notes A collection of passed notes and other cringe-worthy epherma from real-life juvenile delinquents in 1990s America
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