Images of Delinquency: Survey Data (From Delinquency and Youth Crime, Second Edition, P 121-169, 1992, Gary F Jensen and Dean G Rojek - See NCJ-134932)

• NCJ Number: 134936
• Author(s): G F Jensen; D G Rojek
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 49 pages
• Sale Source: Waveland Press, Inc.
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Self-report and victimization survey research on juvenile delinquency are summarized, and the authors note conclusions suggested by data produced using these research methods conflict with patterns suggested by police and juvenile court statistics.

Abstract

Offense rates are higher among central city youth than among youth in smaller communities and rural settings, higher among youth living in changing or unstable neighborhoods and communities than in more stable settings and higher for males than females, with the greatest disparities involving the most serious offenses. The gender difference was far greater in the past than it is now. Offense rates are higher for blacks than whites for offenses involving violence and major theft. Asian Americans have the lowest offense rates, and the rates for Hispanics fall between those for whites and blacks. Young adults and juveniles account for a disproportionate amount of crime, but offenses involving theft tend to peak in younger age groups than offenses involving interpersonal violence (rape, assault, and robbery). Offense rates for juveniles have been stable or declining in recent years, but self-report data suggest such a pattern for an earlier time period than do victimization or police data. 83 references and 15 figures