NCJ Number
81306
Date Published
1982
Length
542 pages
Annotation
This introductory textbook, written from a sociological perspective, provides an overview of the extent, causes, nature, and control of juvenile delinquency in the United States. It also gives a detailed account of the actual operation of the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
The textbook analyzes major theories of delinquency and examines delinquency control programs. The first chapters trace the origin and historical development of the concept of delinquency and discuss its current definition and application. They also outline strengths and weaknesses of official, self-report, and victimization studies as measures of delinquency. Next the textbook discusses major theories of delinquency causation, including biological, psychological, and sociological theories -classical and contemporary. It reviews relevant historical and recent research. A special section focuses on the relationships of families, schools, and peers to delinquency; female delinquency; and drug use among juveniles. The next section discusses four major components of the juvenile justice system: police, juvenile law, juvenile court, and juvenile corrections. This section explores in detail implications of police decisionmaking, importance of police discretion, and juvenile police procedures. Laws relating to the constitutional rights of juveniles in contact with the juvenile justice system are given special attention. A chapter on juvenile corrections examines the nature and characteristics of juvenile facilities and reports on current community corrections. Emphasis is given to juvenile diversionary programs and community-based correctional programs. The text's final section projects the course of delinquency and the direction of the juvenile justice system in the 1980's. Changes in children's rights will be reflected in attempts to prevent and control delinquency. Footnotes, review questions for each chapter, a glossary, an index, an appendix with abstracts of leading court cases in juvenile delinquency, and a list of about 1,000 references are provided. (Author summary modified)