NCJ Number
1892
Date Published
1972
Length
67 pages
Annotation
AN INTERIM REPORT ON THE CAUSES OF DELINQUENCY AMONG BLACK BOYS IN PHILADELPHIA.
Abstract
THE STUDY, ON-GOING AND LONGITUDINAL, SEEKS TO EXPLAIN WHY SOME BUT NOT ALL BOYS IN THE MOST DEPRESSED URBAN AREAS, IN THE SAME SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES, BECOME DELINQUENT. THE FINDINGS OF 532 INTERVIEWS WITH BLACK BOYS AND THEIR MOTHERS ARE PRESENTED. THE ATTITUDES CONCERNING FAMILY, EDUCATION, ASPIRATIONS, FEAR OF CRIME, BEHAVIOR CHANGES, AND SELF WERE MEASURED. DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL WAS FOUND TO BE A CONSEQUENCE OF DELINQUENCY AND NOT A CAUSE. BOTH DELINQUENT AND NONDELINQUENT BOYS AGREED WITH MIDDLE CLASS VALUES. DELINQUENTS WERE FOUND TO BE MORE FEARFUL OF VICTIMIZATION AND WERE MORE APT TO TAKE SOME PRECAUTIONS. THE SOURCE OF INCOME RATHER THAN LOW SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS ITSELF LEADS TO LOW SELFESTEEM.