Juvenile Delinquency : A Sociological Approach

by Bynum, Jack E.; Thompson, William E.

• ISBN13: 9780205321773
• ISBN10: 0205321771
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

Taking a sociological approach, this text discusses delinquency as it relates to and emerges from the youth's family, neighborhood, school, peer group, social class, and overall cultural and social environment. The authors incorporate contributions from psychologists, social workers, criminologists, and other specialists who have sought to understand, explain, control, and prevent juvenile delinquency.

Table of Contents

Preface	xix
PART I Conformity, Deviance, and Juvenile Delinquency	1	(90)
Introduction: The Sociological Perspective and Focus on Juvenile Delinquency	1	(4)
Juvenile Delinquency: The Act, Actor, and the Audience	5	(21)
Reading Objectives	5	(1)
Introduction	5	(1)
What Is Juvenile Delinquency?	6	(9)
What Is a Juvenile?	6	(2)
What Is Delinquency?	8	(2)
The Legal Definition	10	(2)
Status Offenses	12	(1)
Problems with the Legal Definition	13	(1)
The Role Definition	14	(1)
Controversial Issue: ``Child or Adult?''	15	(6)
Problems with the Role Definition	18	(1)
The Societal Response Definition	19	(1)
Problems with the Societal Response Definition	20	(1)
A Synthesized Definition of Delinquency	21	(1)
Summary	21	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: The Cultural and Legal Definitions of ``Child'' and ``Juvenile Offender'' in Other Nations	22	(2)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	24	(1)
References	24	(2)
A Sociological Overview: Society, Norms, Conformity and Deviant Behavior	26	(26)
Reading Objectives	26	(1)
Introduction	26	(1)
The Sociological Perspective	27	(1)
The Social Nature of Humans	28	(4)
The Social Imperative	28	(2)
Social Interaction	30	(1)
Social Interdependence	31	(1)
Social Organization	32	(1)
Norms	32	(1)
Sources of Norms	33	(1)
Social Consensus	33	(1)
Social Conflict	33	(1)
Folkways and Mores	34	(2)
Folkways	34	(1)
Mores	35	(1)
Normative Behavior: Conformity	36	(2)
Deviant Behavior: Nonconformity	38	(2)
Negative Aspects of Deviance	40	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Conformity, Deviance, and Delinquency among Native Americans	41	(2)
Positive Aspects of Deviance	43	(3)
Juvenile Delinquency	46	(2)
Summary	48	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	49	(1)
Concept Application: ``Deviance or Conformity?''	49	(1)
References	50	(2)
The Dimensions of the Delinquency Problem	52	(39)
Reading Objectives	52	(1)
Introduction	52	(1)
Juvenile Delinquency Data	53	(2)
Validity and Reliability	54	(1)
Validity	54	(1)
Reliability	54	(1)
Official Sources of Delinquency Information	55	(14)
FBI Uniform Crime Reports	55	(3)
Juvenile Arrests for Specific Offenses	58	(1)
Status Offenses	58	(1)
Male and Female Involvement in Juvenile Delinquency	59	(3)
The Racial and Ethnic Factor in Juvenile Delinquency	62	(2)
Place of Residence and Arrest Statistics	64	(1)
Juvenile Court Statistics	65	(1)
Methodology	65	(1)
Findings	66	(3)
The Composite Delinquent Profile: Typical or Stereotypical?	69	(2)
Limitations of Official Delinquency Data	70	(1)
Arrest Statistics	70	(1)
Juvenile Court Statistics	71	(1)
Unofficial Sources of Delinquency Information	71	(2)
Self-Report Studies	71	(2)
Concept Application: ``Undetected and Unreported Delinquency: The Missing Statistics''	73	(6)
Victimization Surveys	77	(2)
Controversial Issue: Juvenile Violence: Guns and the U.S. Constitution	79	(2)
The Magnitude and Trends of Juvenile Delinquency	81	(2)
Addendum: A Balanced Perspective on Youth	83	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Juvenile Delinquency in Russia	84	(2)
Summary	86	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	86	(1)
References	87	(4)
PART II Causes of Juvenile Delinquency	91	(138)
Introduction: Theory and the Etiology of Juvenile Delinquency	91	(4)
Biological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency	95	(27)
Reading Objectives	95	(1)
Introduction	95	(1)
The Link between Biology and Behavior: Myths and Folklore	96	(1)
The Classical School of Criminological Thought	97	(1)
Deterrence Theory	98	(1)
The Positive School of Criminology	98	(2)
Twentieth-Century Constitutional Typologies	100	(1)
The Continuing Search for the Biological Connection	101	(1)
Concept Application: ``An Ugly Girl''	102	(8)
Gender	103	(2)
Race and Ethnicity	105	(1)
Age	106	(1)
Maturation Theory	107	(1)
Genetic Crime Causation: The XYY Hypothesis	108	(1)
Diet and Deviant Behavior	109	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: The Study of Twins and Adopted Children in Scandinavia	110	(4)
Brain Malfunctions	112	(2)
Sociobiological Explanations	114	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	115	(1)
Controversial Issue: Heredity Versus Environment in Deviant and Delinquent Behavior	116	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	117	(1)
References	118	(4)
Psychogenic Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency	122	(34)
Reading Objectives	122	(1)
Introduction	122	(2)
The Psychogenic Approach	124	(1)
The Discovery of the Unconscious	125	(1)
The Formation of Personality	126	(1)
Freudian Theory as an Explanation of Crime and Delinquency	126	(1)
Psychoanalysis	127	(1)
Projective Tests	127	(3)
The Rorschach Ink-blot Test	128	(1)
Projective Tests and Homicidal Children	128	(2)
Delinquent Acts as Symptoms	130	(2)
Conduct Disorders	131	(1)
Other Psychogenic Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency	132	(1)
Early Theories of Feeblemindedness	132	(1)
Controversial Issue: The Debate Over Television Violence, Childhood Personality Development, and Criminal Behavior	133	(10)
Neurological Abnormalities	135	(2)
The Flawed Personality	137	(1)
The Psychopath/Sociopath	138	(1)
Distinctive Patterns of Criminal Thinking	139	(1)
Adolescent Identity Crisis	139	(2)
Insufficient Moral Development	141	(2)
A Psychological Typology of Delinquency	143	(5)
Impulsive Delinquency	144	(1)
The Unsocialized Aggressive Child	144	(1)
The Self-Centered Indulgent Delinquent	144	(1)
The Psychopath	145	(1)
The Sexual Pervert	145	(1)
Neurotic Delinquency	145	(1)
The Inadequate Delinquent	146	(1)
The Crystallized Delinquent	146	(1)
Symptomatic Delinquency	146	(1)
The Kleptomaniac	146	(1)
The Pyromaniac	147	(1)
The Sexual Delinquent	147	(1)
Criticisms and Limitations of the Psychogenic Approach	148	(1)
Critique of Theoretical Assumptions and Concepts	148	(1)
Critique of Research Methodology	148	(1)
Concept Application: The Psychological and Social Impacts on Victims of Crime and Delinquency	149	(2)
Critique of Psychogenic Applications to Crime and Delinquency	150	(1)
Summary	151	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	152	(1)
References	152	(4)
Sociological Explanations of Delinquency: Social Strain and Cultural Transmission Theories	156	(25)
Reading Objectives	156	(1)
Introduction	156	(1)
Theory	157	(1)
Social Strain Theories	158	(9)
Durkheim's Concept of Anomie	159	(1)
Merton's Theory of Anomie	159	(2)
Cohen's ``Delinquent Boys''	161	(1)
Cloward and Ohlin's ``Delinquency and Opportunity''	162	(2)
Contributions of Social Strain Theories	164	(1)
Criticisms and Limitations of Social Strain Theories	165	(2)
Cultural Transmission Theories	167	(1)
Sellin's Theory of Culture Conflict	167	(1)
Controversial Issue: Social Structure as a Proposed Cause of Urban Crime hood and Delinquency	168	(9)
Burgess' Concentric Zone Theory	169	(3)
Shaw and MeKay's ``High Delinquency Areas''	172	(1)
Miller's Focus on Lower Class Culture	172	(2)
Contributions of Cultural Transmission Theories	174	(1)
Criticisms and Limitations of Cultural Transmission Theories	175	(2)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	177	(1)
Concept Application: ``Searching for Causal Explanations of Contemporary School Shootings''	178	(1)
References	179	(2)
Sociological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency: Social Learning and Social Control Theories	181	(24)
Reading Objectives	181	(1)
Introduction	181	(2)
Social Learning Theories	183	(5)
Sutherland and Cressey's Theory of Differential Association	183	(1)
Glaser's Concept of Differential Identification	184	(2)
Akers' Theory of Differential Reinforcement	186	(1)
Contributions of Social Learning Theories	186	(1)
Criticisms and Limitations of Social Learning Theories	187	(1)
Concept Application: ``Going into the Automobile Business''	188	(2)
Social Control Theories	190	(7)
Victims Reckless' Containment Theory	192	(1)
Sykes and Matza's Techniques of Neutralization	193	(2)
Hirschi's Social Bond Theory	195	(1)
Contributions of Social Control Theories	196	(1)
Controversial Issue: Religiosity and Juvenile Delinquency	197	(4)
Criticisms and Limitations of Social Control Theories	200	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Criminality Among the Children of Immigrants in Western Europe	201	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	202	(1)
References	202	(3)
Sociological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency: Labeling and Radical Theories	205	(24)
Reading Objectives	205	(1)
Introduction	205	(1)
Labeling Theories	206	(8)
Early Contributions to Labeling Theory	207	(1)
Tannenbaum's Concept of ``Tagging''	208	(1)
Lemert's Primary and Secondary Deviance	208	(1)
Becker's Developmental Career Model	209	(1)
Contributions of Labeling Theory	210	(2)
Criticisms and Limitations of Labeling Theory	212	(2)
Concept Application: Juvenile Delinquency as Creative Short-Term Hedonism: ``Crime Is Fun!''	214	(1)
Radical Theories	215	(9)
The Marxian Heritage	216	(1)
Quinney's Social Reality of Crime and Delinquency	217	(1)
Greenberg's Focus on Adolescent Frustration	218	(1)
Schwendingers' Instrumental Theory	219	(2)
Contributions of Radical Theories	221	(1)
Criticisms and Limitations of Radical Theories	222	(2)
An Overview of the Sociological Explanations	224	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	224	(1)
Controversial Issue: The Continuing Quest for a General Theory of Juvenile Delinquency	225	(2)
References	227	(2)
PART III Juvenile Delinquency in a Social Context	229	(130)
Introduction: Collective Behavior and Social Groupings	229	(4)
The Family and Juvenile Delinquency	233	(26)
Reading Objectives	233	(1)
Introduction	233	(1)
The Changing Role of the Family	233	(2)
Increasing Importance of the Nuclear Family and the Creation of ``Adolescence''	235	(1)
The Family as an Agent of Socialization	236	(1)
Working Mothers and Juvenile Delinquency	237	(2)
Controversial Issue: Latchkey Children: Independence or Neglect	239	(2)
Other Family Variables and Juvenile Delinquency	241	(7)
Social Class	241	(1)
Family Size and Birth Order	242	(2)
Family Interaction	244	(1)
Parental Discipline	245	(3)
Broken Homes and Delinquency	248	(3)
The Family and Delinquency Prevention	251	(1)
Concept Application: The Role of the Family in Preventing Delinquency	252	(1)
Summary	253	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	254	(1)
References	254	(5)
Schools and Delinquency	259	(26)
Reading Objectives	259	(1)
Introduction	259	(1)
The School as an Arena	260	(1)
Schools and the Socialization Process	260	(1)
Juvenile Delinquency and the School Experience	261	(2)
Schools as a ``Screening Device''	263	(2)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Self-Concept and Delinquency Among Chinese School Children	265	(4)
Controversial Issue: Dealing with the Problem of Truancy	269	(2)
Schools as ``Combat Zones''	271	(5)
Vandalism and Destruction	271	(1)
Violence and Personal Attacks	272	(4)
School Safety and ``Zero Tolerance''	276	(1)
School as Bureaucracy	276	(1)
Schools and Delinquency Prevention	277	(2)
Summary	279	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	280	(1)
References	280	(5)
The Youth Subculture	285	(32)
Reading Objectives	285	(1)
Introduction	285	(1)
Culture, Subcultures, and Countercultures	286	(1)
The Creation of a Youth Subculture	286	(2)
Cross-Cultural Focus: A Canadian Youth Subculture	288	(1)
Role of the Youth Subculture	288	(3)
Distinctive Elements of the Youth Subculture	291	(1)
Youth Values	291	(1)
Concept Application: The American Youth Subculture: Youth Values in the 21st Century	292	(7)
Dress, Grooming, and Fads	295	(1)
Mass Media	296	(2)
Language	298	(1)
Controversial Issue: Censoring Rock Music	299	(1)
The Youth Subculture and Juvenile Delinquency	300	(8)
Juvenile Runaways	301	(1)
Juvenile Prostitution	302	(2)
Juveniles and Drugs	304	(2)
Juveniles and Sex	306	(2)
Youth Countercultures and Delinquency	308	(2)
Teenage Satanic Groups	309	(1)
Youth Hate Groups	309	(1)
The Youth Subculture and Delinquency Prevention	310	(1)
Summary	311	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	312	(1)
References	313	(4)
Juvenile Gangs and Delinquent Behavior	317	(42)
Reading Objectives	317	(1)
Introduction	317	(1)
Predatory Youths: A National Alarm	318	(1)
The Solitary Delinquent	318	(2)
Group Delinquency	320	(1)
The Play Group	321	(1)
The Juvenile Gang	322	(3)
What Is a Gang?	322	(2)
History of Youth Gangs	324	(1)
Contemporary Youth Gangs in the United States	325	(3)
Number of Gangs and Members	325	(1)
Locale	326	(2)
The Motives for Gang Membership	328	(2)
Concept Application: Group Shoplifting and ``The Swarm''	330	(2)
Initiation Rituals	331	(1)
Gang Organization	332	(4)
The Near Group	333	(1)
Gang Graffiti, Slanguage and Symbols	334	(2)
Composition of Gang Membership	336	(7)
Social Class	337	(1)
Racial and Ethnic Composition of Gangs	338	(2)
Female Participation in Delinquent Gangs	340	(3)
Gang Violence	343	(2)
Concept Application: ``The Weapon of Choice: The Dogs of War''	345	(3)
Drug Franchises and Gang Warfare	346	(1)
Gang Rape	347	(1)
Dyads and Triads	348	(1)
Explanatory Theories of Gang Formation and Behavior: A Summary and Synthesis	348	(3)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Urban Youth Gangs in Russia	351	(2)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	353	(1)
References	353	(6)
PART IV Social Control: The Juvenile Justice System	359	(82)
Introduction: Elements of Social Control	359	(2)
Juveniles and the Police	361	(23)
Reading Objectives	361	(1)
Introduction	361	(1)
Juvenile Encounters with Police	362	(1)
Policing Juveniles	363	(3)
Law Enforcement Role	365	(1)
Crime Prevention Role	365	(1)
Police Discretion in Handling Juveniles	366	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Policing Juveniles in Great Britain	367	(8)
Legal Factors	369	(1)
Seriousness of the Offense	369	(1)
Prior Police Contacts	369	(1)
Evidence	370	(1)
Complainant	370	(1)
Extralegal Factors	371	(1)
Age	371	(1)
Sex	372	(1)
Race and Ethnicity	372	(1)
Socioeconomic Status	373	(1)
Appearance, Attitude, and Demeanor of the Juvenile	373	(1)
Willingness of Parents to Cooperate	374	(1)
Characteristics of the Police Officer	374	(1)
Police and Due Process	375	(2)
Police, Community Policing, and Delinquency Prevention	377	(2)
Controversial Issue: Targeting Serious Habitual Offenders: Delinquency Prevention or Police Harassment?	379	(1)
Summary	380	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	381	(1)
References	381	(3)
Juvenile Court	384	(25)
Reading Objectives	384	(1)
Introduction	384	(1)
Historical Background of the Juvenile Court	385	(1)
The Child Savers' Movement	386	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Development of the Juvenile Court in Canada	387	(1)
The Juvenile Court	388	(2)
The Juvenile Court and Due Process	390	(3)
Juvenile Court Procedures	393	(4)
Intake	393	(2)
Adjudication	395	(1)
Disposition	396	(1)
The Role of Attorneys in Juvenile Court	397	(2)
The District Attorney	398	(1)
The Defense Attorney	398	(1)
Controversial Issue: The Use of Attorneys in the Juvenile Court	399	(1)
Criticisms of the Juvenile Court	400	(2)
The Multifaceted Juvenile Court	402	(2)
The Future of the Juvenile Court	404	(2)
Summary	406	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	406	(1)
References	406	(3)
Juvenile Corrections	409	(32)
Reading Objectives	409	(1)
Introduction	409	(1)
Social Control and Deterrence Theory	410	(1)
Voluntary Social Control	410	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: The Caning of an American Youth in Singapore: Justice or Abuse?	411	(2)
Informal Social Control	413	(2)
Formal Social Control	415	(5)
Juvenile Probation	416	(1)
Restitution and ``Restorative Justice''	417	(1)
Juvenile Incarceration	417	(3)
Controversial Issue: Institutionalization versus Community Treatment	420	(5)
Juvenile Aftercare	421	(1)
Remanding Juveniles to Adult Courts	422	(1)
Juveniles in Adult Jails and Prisons	423	(1)
Capital Punishment for Juveniles	424	(1)
Controversial Issue: Should Juveniles Be Executed?	425	(2)
Deinstitutionalization, Community Corrections, and Diversion	427	(8)
House Arrest	429	(1)
Youth Service Bureaus	430	(1)
Scared Straight!	430	(2)
S.H.A.P E.U.P	432	(1)
Place	432	(1)
VisionQuest	433	(1)
Juvenile Boot Camps	433	(1)
Other Diversion Programs	434	(1)
Evaluation of Deinstitutionalization, Community Corrections, and Diversion	435	(1)
Summary	436	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	436	(1)
References	437	(4)
PART V Strategies for Dealing with Juvenile Delinquency	441	(59)
Introduction: Approaching Treatment and Prevention in a Social Context	441	(2)
Treatment and Prevention Strategies	443	(27)
Reading Objectives	443	(1)
Introduction	443	(1)
Treatment Ideology and Delinquency Treatment Programs	444	(1)
Behavior Modification	444	(1)
Controversial Issue: Applying the Medical Model in the Treatment of Delinquency	445	(5)
Transactional Analysis	447	(1)
Reality Therapy	448	(1)
Group and Individual Counseling	449	(1)
Prevention Ideology and Delinquency Prevention Programs	450	(2)
Early Identification	450	(1)
``Pre-Delinquents'' and Early Intervention	450	(2)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Delinquency Prevention in Japan	452	(1)
Sociological Approaches to Delinquency Treatment and Prevention	453	(9)
The Chicago Area Project	454	(1)
The Mid-City Project	455	(1)
Mobilization for Youth	456	(1)
Minnesota Youth Advocate Program	456	(1)
Neighborhood Youth Corps and Job Training	456	(1)
The Highfields Project	457	(1)
The Provo Experiment	458	(1)
Millcreek Youth Correctional Facility	459	(1)
The Paint Creek Youth Center	459	(1)
Project New Pride	459	(1)
Mentoring Programs	460	(1)
Other Programs	460	(2)
Mobilizing the Community to Prevent Delinquency	462	(4)
Crimestoppers and Hotlines	462	(1)
Neighborhood Watch and Youth Crime Watch	463	(1)
Guardian Angels	463	(2)
S.H.O.D.I.	465	(1)
Gang Intervention Programs	465	(1)
Evaluation of Delinquency Treatment and Prevention Strategies	466	(1)
Summary	466	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	467	(1)
References	467	(3)
Rethinking the Delinquency Problem	470	(30)
Reading Objectives	470	(1)
Introduction	470	(7)
The Social Nature of Juvenile Delinquency	477
Eliminating the Marginal Status of Juveniles	473	(6)
Rites of Passage	474	(3)
Meaningful Social Participation	477	(2)
Concept Application: Meaningful Social Participation for Youths	479	(1)
Standardization or Elimination of Juvenile Codes	480	(1)
Decriminalization of Status Offenses	481	(1)
Revision of the Juvenile Court	482	(4)
Limited Jurisdiction	483	(1)
Due Process	484	(1)
Professional Judges and Court Personnel	484	(1)
Dispositional Alternatives	485	(1)
Other Revisions	485	(1)
Modification of Juvenile Corrections	486	(1)
Controversial Issue: Should Juvenile Courts Be Abolished?	487	(3)
Strengthening the Family	490	(1)
Changing the Educational System	491	(2)
Redefining Juvenile Delinquency	493	(3)
Summary	496	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	497	(1)
References	497	(3)
Glossary	500	(18)
Name Index	518	(8)
Subject Index	526