NEO-MARXIAN CRITIQUE FORMULATION AND TEST OF JUVENILE DISPOSITIONS AS A FUNCTION OF SOCIAL CLASS

• NCJ Number: 63204
• Journal: Social Problems Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: (OCTOBER 1979) Pages: 96-108
• Author(s): T CARTER; D CLELLAND
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: Soc for the Study of Social Problems
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: EARLIER VERSION PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE SOUTHERN SOCIOLOGICAL SOCIETY, ATLANTA, GA, APRIL 1977.

Annotation

A NEO-MARXIAN THEORY OF JUVENILE DISPOSITIONS IS PRESENTED, AND A MULTIVARIATE TEST IS MADE OF TWO PROPOSITIONS DERIVED FROM THE THEORY.

Abstract

PREVIOUS JUVENILE DISPOSITION STUDIES EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEVERITY OF DISPOSITION AND THE SOCIAL CLASS OF THE OFFENDER HAVE BEEN METHODOLOGICALLY INADEQUATE, PARTICULARLY REGARDING THE CONCEPTUALIZATION AND MEASURE OF SOCIAL CLASS. THE CONCEPT OF 'JUVENILE DELINQUENT' IS A BOURGEOIS INVENTION USED TO DISTINGUISH FOR TREATMENT THOSE YOUTH WHOSE ACTIVITIES REPRESENT THREATS TO CAPITALIST HEGEMONY. THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM DEPENDS UPON THE CONTINUED CONDITIONING OF PEOPLE WHO WILL PROVIDE A STABLE AND LOYAL WORK FORCE, SO THAT YOUTHFUL BEHAVIOR WHICH VIOLATES THAT CONDITIONING IS PUNISHED. THIS CONCERN IS MOST EVIDENT IN CRIMES AGAINST THE MORAL ORDER (STATUS AND VICTIMLESS OFFENSES). OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON AND PROPERTY CAN BE CONSIDERED THREATENING TO ALL PARTICIPANTS IN ANY SOCIAL ORDER, SO THEY DO NOT UNIQUELY THREATEN CAPITALIST INTERESTS. A RANDOM SAMPLE OF 350 CASES WAS OBTAINED FROM JUVENILE COURT RECORDS IN A METROPOLITAN AREA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. DISCUSSIONS WITH CASE WORKERS REVEALED THAT THE CRITERIA FOR THE LABEL OF 'LOWER CLASS' WAS MARGINALITY OF OCCUPATION, INCOME, AND VALUES. THIS LABEL WAS ACCEPTED AS THE MEASURE FOR LOWER CLASS IN THE STUDY. THE PREDICTED SOCIAL CLASS BIAS IN THE SENTENCING OF STATUS AND VICTIMLESS OFFENDERS WAS SUPPORTED BY THE DATA, WITH YOUTH IDENTIFIED AS 'LOWER CLASS' RECEIVING MORE SEVERE DISPOSITIONS. THIS PATTERN DID NOT HOLD TRUE FOR CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON AND OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY. TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)