NCJ Number
91113
Journal
Trans-action Dated: (June 1968) Pages: 15-19
Date Published
1968
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This St. Louis study of a sample of black males found that truancy was a predictor of early death, notably by homicide, suggesting a policy of intervention for black males having problems in elementary school.
Abstract
Using public schools records, the careers of 326 black males were traced. All had I.Q.'s of at least 85, and all had attended public schools for at least 6 years. Upon learning of the death of a subject, cause of death was determined from death certificates of military records. It was found that of those alive at age 15 in 1946, 14 had died before reaching an average age of 33. The death rate was 42.9 per thousand, with the expected rate for whites being 31.4 per thousand. Among the 14, the chief cause of death was homicide (five were homicide victims). Four variables were examined to determine any correlation they might have with the subjects' deaths: (1) the absence or presence of the father in the home, (2) the occupation of the guardian, (3) academic problems, and (4) truancy or behavior problems. Only truancy had a significant correlation with the premature deaths. Truancy also correlated with the incarceration of the subjects. The indication from these findings is that black male homicide victims lead deviant lifestyles that make them vulnerable to violence and premature death. The early identification of serious academic problems and behavioral problems among black males is thus crucial to undertaking interventions that may save them from premature deaths. Tabular data are provided.