NCJ Number
58799
Date Published
1978
Length
20 pages
Annotation
A SURVEY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH ON SCHOOL VANDALISM IS PRESENTED, AND RESEARCH ISSUES AND NEEDS ARE IDENTIFIED.
Abstract
EARLY RESEARCH (1958-1969) PRODUCED A DESCRIPTION OF THE YOUTHFUL VANDAL AS A WORKING-CLASS, MINORITY MALE WITH POSSIBLE PERSONALITY DISORDERS. HIS DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR OFTEN WAS ATTRIBUTED TO HIS FAMILY LIFE, RATHER THAN TO HIS DISSATISFACTION OR FRUSTRATION WITH SCHOOL. IN THE 1970'S SCHOOL VANDALISM BECAME A MATTER OF PUBLIC CONCERN, AND THE STYLE OF RESEARCH CHANGED. VANDALISM STUDIES SINCE 1970 HAVE BEEN PRIMARLIY ADMINISTRATION-ORIENTED, I.E., AIMED AT PROVIDING EDUCATORS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THIS SURVEY, WHICH ENCOMPASSES LITERATURE ON THE INCIDENCE AND COSTS OF SCHOOL VANDALISM, IDENTIFICATION OF STUDENT VANDALS, CAUSES OF SCHOOL VANDALISM, AND RESPONSES BY SCHOOLS AND AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, IDENTIFIES FIVE RESEARCH ISSUES: (1) THE ABSENCE OF SATISFACTORY REPORTING AND MEASURING TECHNIQUES TO PROVIDE BASELINE DATA FOR VANDALISM STUDIES, (2) THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAUSAL MODELS WHICH INCLUDE SITUATIONAL FACTORS AND MOTIVATIONAL CONSTRUCTS, (3) THE PROBLEMATIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCHOOL VANDALISM AND LARGER SOCIAL FORCES, (4) THE DEFENSIVE STANCE TAKEN BY MANY SCHOOLS IN RESPONSE TO RESEARCH FOCUSED ON VANDALISM AS THE SCHOOLS' PROBLEM, AND (5) THE ABSENCE OF A THEORETICAL BASIS FOR COST-BENEFIT STUDIES OF SECURITY PROGRAMS. THE SAFE SCHOOLS STUDY OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT VANDALISM RESEARCH EFFORT THUS FAR. HOWEVER, SCHOOL VANDALISM REMAINS A RESEARCH FIELD WITHOUT A PARADIGM, AND A TOPIC THAT HAS NOT BEEN DEALT WITH ADEQUATELY BY THE SOCIAL SCIENCE COMMUNITY. A LIST OF REFERENECES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)