NCJ Number
155096
Date Published
1995
Length
104 pages
Annotation
Directed mainly to adolescents, this volume discusses the nature and incidence of juvenile delinquency as well as child abuse and neglect and suggests ways in which young people can make a positive contribution to juvenile delinquency prevention and the positive development of their peers.
Abstract
The discussion notes that although youths are committing more violent crimes than ever before, the percentage who are involved has not grown. One estimate is that most juvenile crime is committed by about 6 percent of the young. In addition, approximately one-fourth of today's adolescents are at serious risk of alcohol and other drug abuse, adolescent pregnancy, educational problems, violence, and death. Large numbers of children and youths are also physically, emotionally, or sexually abuse, neglected, or put out of their homes because their families do not want them. Many youths have guns, become involved in juvenile gangs, or both. Youths can help other youths in many ways. These include tutoring a classmate, saving lives in an ambulance corps, learning nonviolent ways of conflict resolution, and serving on an advisory council of youths who make young people accountable for their actions. A variety of youth service organizations are available throughout the country. In addition to youth efforts, people of all ages need to work toward making juveniles accountable for their actions and making society accountable for conditions that have a major part in leading youths to delinquency. List of hotlines and other information sources, glossary, index, and 75 references