NCJ Number
87357
Journal
Youth and Society Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (December 1982) Pages: 133-158
Date Published
1982
Length
26 pages
Annotation
Self theory and attendant research supports the importance of self-concept in the etiology of juvenile delinquency so as to encourage the development or enhancement of positive self-concepts in delinquency-prone youth.
Abstract
Research indicates something in a person's makeup reflecting prior interaction and experience that produces a positive or negative self-evaluation, and that self-evaluation is somehow instrumental in determining whether, when presented with the opportunities, a juvenile will become involved in or insulated from delinquent activities. Further, it is apparent from research that the family as the primary socialization agent strongly influences the development of self-concept. Positive self-concept appears to be related to consistent and fair parenting, positive expectations for the child, and a relatively stable home environment, whether broken or intact. Conversely, negative self-concept is related to family conflict; breakup of the home associated with disadvantageous variables such as cause, age of child, and subsequent family composition; negative expectations for the child; excessive punishment coupled with inadequate supervision; and the family's typical response to deviant situations. Further, there is some relationship between self-concept and the variables of race, sex, socioeconomic status, and area of residence, as well as the evaluation of the child by others. There are problems, however, in identifying and manipulating the variables impacting self-concept such that intervention efforts intended to improve self-concept have not been successful. Careful and thorough research is needed to develop an accurate operationalization of self-concept. Tabular data and 54 references are provided.