NCJ Number
55198
Editor(s)
A M BELKIN
Date Published
1979
Length
196 pages
Annotation
BROADLY ADDRESSING THE TOPIC OF THE CRIMINAL CHILD, THIS VOLUME REVIEWS A BODY OF LITERATURE REPRESENTING AN AMALGAM OF THEORIES, VIEWPOINTS, AND FINDINGS FROM THE LAW, PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, AND POLITICAL SCIENCE.
Abstract
A VOLUMINOUS AMOUNT OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON THE CRIMINAL CHILD OCCUPIES THE SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE JOURNALS; THE ARTICLES HERE ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS DIVERSE LITERATURE. THE FIRST PART--THE SEEDS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIORAL--FOCUSES ON THE PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY OF THE CRIMINAL CHILD IN AN EFFORT TO UNCOVER THE CHILDHOOD ANTECEDENTS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND RACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS IS EXAMINED, ALONG WITH THE PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE KILLER CHILD AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL HANDICAPS AND EARLY CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS. THE SUBSEQUENT SELECTIONS ARE CONCERNED WITH THE REMEDIAL, REHABILITATIVE, AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES AVAILABLE FOR POTENTIAL AND ADJUDICATED DELINQUENTS. SEVERAL ALTERNATIVES FOR DEALING WITH SUCH YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS INCLUDE FORMS OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION, AND METHODS IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND THE COMMUNITY. THE FINAL SECTION CONSIDERS THE SHORTCOMINGS OF THE SYSTEM AND ITS TREATMENT OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS AND JUVENILE CRIMINALS. A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE TREATMENT OF DELINQUENTS IS PRESENTED, ALONG WITH CRITIQUES OF CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND THE EFFICIENCY OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. ALSO EXAMINED ARE SEX DIFFERENCES AMONG JUVENILES IN TERMS OF OFFENSE AND TREATMENT IN JUVENILE COURT, AS WELL AS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S GAULT DECISION (1967) FOR JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS AND THE ROLE OF THE PROBATION OFFICER. TABULAR DATA AND AN AUTHOR INDEX ARE PROVIDED. REFERENCES AND NOTES ACCOMPANY INDIVIDUAL SELECTIONS. SEE ALSO NCJ 34577, 48455, 46376, 26231, AND 26232. (KBL)