Juvenile Delinquency : A Sociological Approach

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

• ISBN13: 9780205401505
• ISBN10: 0205401503
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• 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. An exploration of juvenile delinquency in other nations -- including England, Australia, Israel, Russia, and selected countries of South America and Africa --iquest;gives a point of comparison and a global perspective.

Table of Contents

Preface	xxii
PART ONE Conformity, Deviance, and Juvenile Delinquency	1	(86)
Introduction: The Sociological Perspective and Focus on Juvenile Delinquency	1	(2)
Juvenile Delinquency: The Act, Actor, and the Audience	3	(22)
Reading Objectives	3	(1)
Introduction	3	(1)
What Is Juvenile Delinquency?	4	(9)
Who Is a Juvenile?	4	(2)
What Is Delinquency?	6	(2)
The Legal Definition	8	(2)
Status Offenses	10	(2)
The Role Definition	12	(1)
Controversial Issue: ``Child or Adult?''	13	(6)
The Societal Response Definition	17	(2)
An Integrated Definition of Delinquency	19	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: The Cultural and Legal Definitions of ``Child'' and ``Juvenile Offender'' in Other Nations	20	(2)
Summary	22	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	23	(1)
References	23	(2)
A Sociological Overview: Society, Norms, Conformity, and Deviant Behavior	25	(25)
Reading Objectives	25	(1)
Introduction	25	(1)
The Sociological Perspective	26	(1)
The Social Nature of Humans	27	(4)
The Social Imperative	27	(1)
Social Interaction	28	(1)
Social Interdependence	29	(1)
Social Organization	30	(1)
Norms	31	(1)
Sources of Norms	31	(2)
Social Consensus	31	(1)
Social Conflict	32	(1)
Folkways and Mores	33	(2)
Folkways	33	(1)
Mores	33	(2)
Normative Behavior: Conformity	35	(1)
Deviant Behavior: Nonconformity	36	(2)
Negative Aspects of Deviance	38	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Conformity, Deviance, and Delinquency among Native Americans	39	(3)
Positive Aspects of Deviance	42	(2)
Juvenile Delinquency	44	(2)
Concept Application: ``Deviance or Conformity?''	46	(1)
Summary	47	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	48	(1)
References	48	(2)
The Dimensions of the Delinquency Problem	50	(37)
Reading Objectives	50	(1)
Introduction	50	(1)
Juvenile Delinquency Data	51	(2)
Validity and Reliability	51	(2)
Official Sources of Delinquency Information	53	(8)
FBI Uniform Crime Reports	53	(8)
Juvenile Court Statistics	61	(1)
Methodology	62	(1)
Findings	63	(3)
The Composite Delinquent Profile: Typical or Stereotypical?	66	(3)
Limitations of Official Delinquency Data	67	(2)
Unofficial Sources of Delinquency Information	69	(1)
Self-Report Studies	69	(1)
Concept Application: ``Undetected and Unreported Delinquency: The Missing Statistics''	70	(5)
Victimization Surveys	73	(2)
Controversial Issue: Juvenile Violence: Guns and the U.S. Constitution	75	(1)
The Magnitude and Trends of Juvenile Delinquency	76	(3)
Addendum: A Balanced Perspective on Youth	79	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Juvenile Delinquency in Russia	80	(1)
Summary	81	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	82	(1)
References	83	(4)
PART TWO Causes of Juvenile Delinquency	87	(140)
Introduction: Theory and the Etiology of Juvenile Delinquency	87	(3)
Biological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency	90	(26)
Reading Objectives	90	(1)
Introduction	90	(1)
The Link between Biology and Behavior: Myths and Folklore	90	(2)
The Classical School of Criminological Thought	92	(1)
The Positive School of Criminology	92	(2)
Twentieth-Century Constitutional Typologies	94	(1)
The Continuing Search for the Biological Connection	95	(1)
Concept Application: ``An Ugly Girl''	96	(8)
Gender	97	(2)
Race and Ethnicity	99	(1)
Age	100	(2)
Genetic Crime Causation: The XYY Hypothesis	102	(1)
Diet and Deviant Behavior	103	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: The Study of Twins and Adopted Children in Scandinavia	104	(4)
Brain Malfunctions	107	(1)
Sociobiological Explanations	108	(2)
Controversial Issue: Heredity Versus Environment in Deviant and Delinquent Behavior	110	(1)
Summary	111	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	112	(1)
References	112	(4)
Psychogenic Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency	116	(29)
Reading Objectives	116	(1)
Introduction	116	(1)
The Psychogenic Approach	117	(2)
The Discovery of the Unconscious	119	(1)
The Formation of Personality	119	(1)
Freudian Theory as an Explanation of Crime and Delinquency	120	(1)
Psychoanalysis	121	(1)
Projective Tests	121	(3)
The Rorschach Ink-Blot Test	121	(1)
Projective Tests and Homicidal Children	122	(2)
Delinquent Acts as Symptoms	124	(1)
Conduct Disorders	124	(1)
Other Psychogenic Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency	125	(2)
Early Theories of Feeblemindedness	126	(1)
Controversial Issue: The Debate over Television Violence, Childhood Personality Development, and Criminal Behavior	127	(9)
Neurological Abnormalities	128	(2)
The Flawed Personality	130	(3)
Adolescent Identity Crisis	133	(2)
Insufficient Moral Development	135	(1)
Predictors of Youth Violence	136	(1)
Criticisms and Limitations of the Psychogenic Approach	137	(2)
Critique of Theoretical Assumptions and Concepts	137	(1)
Critique of Research Methodology	138	(1)
Critique of Psychogenic Applications to Crime and Delinquency	138	(1)
Concept Application: The Psychological and Social Impacts on Victims of Crime and Delinquency	139	(1)
Summary	140	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	141	(1)
References	142	(3)
Sociological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency: Social Strain and Cultural Transmission Theories	145	(25)
Reading Objectives	145	(1)
Introduction	145	(1)
Theory	146	(1)
Social Strain Theories	147	(10)
Durkheim's Concept of Anomie	147	(1)
Merton's Theory of Anomie	148	(2)
Cohen's ``Delinquent Boys''	150	(1)
Cloward and Ohlin's ``Delinquency and Opportunity''	151	(3)
Contributions of Social Strain Theories	154	(1)
Criticisms and Limitations of Social Strain Theories	155	(1)
Agnew's General Strain Theory	156	(1)
Controversial Issue: Social Structure as a Proposed Cause of Urban Crime and Delinquency	157	(1)
Cultural Transmission Theories	158	(8)
Sellin's Theory of Culture Conflict	158	(1)
Burgess' Concentric Zone Theory	159	(1)
Shaw and McKay's ``High Delinquency Areas''	160	(1)
Miller's Focus on Lower Class Culture	161	(2)
Contributions of Cultural Transmission Theories	163	(1)
Criticisms and Limitations of Cultural Transmission Theories	164	(2)
Concept Application: ``Searching for Causal Explanations of Contemporary School Shootings''	166	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	167	(1)
References	168	(2)
Sociological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency: Social Learning and Social Control Theories	170	(24)
Reading Objectives	170	(1)
Introduction	170	(2)
Social Learning Theories	172	(5)
Sutherland and Cressey's Theory of Differential Association	172	(1)
Glaser's Concept of Differential Identification	173	(1)
Akers's Theory of Differential Reinforcement	174	(1)
Contributions of Social Learning Theories	175	(1)
Criticisms and Limitations of Social Learning Theories	176	(1)
Concept Application: Grand Theft-Auto	177	(2)
Social Control Theories	179	(7)
Reckless' Containment Theory	181	(1)
Sykes and Matza's Techniques of Neutralization	181	(3)
Hirschi's Social Bond Theory	184	(1)
Contributions of Social Control Theories	185	(1)
Controversial Issue: Religiosity and Juvenile Delinquency	186	(4)
Criticisms and Limitations of Social Control Theories	189	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Criminality among the Children of Immigrants in Western Europe	190	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	191	(1)
References	191	(3)
Sociological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency: Labeling and Radical Theories	194	(21)
Reading Objectives	194	(1)
Introduction	194	(1)
Labeling Theories	195	(7)
Early Contributions to Labeling Theory	196	(1)
Tannenbaum's Concept of ``Tagging''	196	(1)
Lemert's Primary and Secondary Deviance	197	(1)
Becker's Developmental Career Model	198	(1)
Contributions of Labeling Theory	199	(2)
Criticisms and Limitations of Labeling Theory	201	(1)
Radical Theories	202	(8)
The Marxian Heritage	203	(1)
Quinney's Social Reality of Crime and Delinquency	204	(1)
Greenberg's Focus on Adolescent Frustration	205	(1)
Schwendingers's Instrumental Theory	206	(1)
Contributions of Radical Theories	207	(2)
Criticisms and Limitations of Radical Theories	209	(1)
Concept Application: Power Control Theory: Females in a Male World	210	(2)
An Overview of the Sociological Explanations	212	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	212	(1)
References	213	(2)
The Future for Causal Explanations of Delinquency: The Ongoing Process of Theory Building	215	(12)
Reading Objectives	215	(1)
Introduction: A Review of Past Theory Building for Explaining Juvenile Delinquency	215	(1)
A Renewed Examination of Delinquency Motivation: ``Crime Is Fun!''	216	(2)
Making Decisions for Delinquency: Rational Choice Theory	218	(1)
Concept Application: The Jackass Scrapbooks	219	(2)
The Punishment Response: Deterrence Theory	221	(2)
Evaluation of Rational Choice and Deterrence Theories	221	(2)
Back to the Future: The Prospects and Direction for New Theory Building	223	(2)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	225	(1)
References	226	(1)
PART THREE Juvenile Delinquency in a Social Context	227	(126)
Introduction: Collective Behavior and Social Groupings	227	(2)
The Family and Juvenile Delinquency	229	(25)
Reading Objectives	229	(1)
Introduction	229	(1)
The Changing Role of the Family	229	(2)
Increasing Importance of the Nuclear Family and the Creation of ``Adolescence''	231	(1)
The Family as an Agent of Socialization	232	(1)
Working Mothers and Juvenile Delinquency	233	(2)
Controversial Issue: Latchkey Children: Independence or Neglect	235	(2)
Other Family Variables and Juvenile Delinquency	237	(6)
Social Class	237	(1)
Family Size and Birth Order	238	(1)
Family Interaction	239	(2)
Parental Discipline	241	(2)
Broken Homes and Delinquency	243	(3)
The Family and Delinquency Prevention	246	(2)
Concept Application: The Role of the Family in Preventing Delinquency	248	(1)
Summary	249	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	249	(1)
References	250	(4)
Schools and Delinquency	254	(27)
Reading Objectives	254	(1)
Introduction	254	(1)
The School as an Arena	254	(1)
Schools and the Socialization Process	255	(2)
Juvenile Delinquency and the School Experience	257	(1)
Schools as a ``Screening Device''	258	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Self-Concept and Delinquency among Chinese Schoolchildren	259	(4)
Schools as ``Combat Zones''	263	(1)
Controversial Issue: Dealing with the Problem of Truancy	264	(6)
Vandalism and Destruction	266	(1)
Violence and Personal Attacks	267	(3)
Concept Application: Bullying and School Violence	270	(3)
School Safety and ``Zero Tolerance''	272	(1)
School as Bureaucracy	273	(1)
Schools and Delinquency Prevention	274	(2)
Summary	276	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	276	(1)
References	277	(4)
The Youth Subculture	281	(33)
Reading Objectives	281	(1)
Introduction	281	(1)
Culture, Subcultures, and Countercultures	282	(1)
The Creation of a Youth Subculture	282	(2)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Japanese Youth Subculture, Skinheads, and Counterculture	284	(1)
Role of the Youth Subculture	285	(2)
Distinctive Elements of the Youth Subculture	287	(1)
Youth Values	287	(1)
Concept Application: The American Youth Subculture: Youth Values in the 21st Century	288	(7)
Dress, Grooming, and Fads	290	(2)
Tatoos	292	(1)
Mass Media	293	(1)
Language	294	(1)
Controversial Issue: Censoring Rock Music	295	(1)
The Youth Subculture and Juvenile Delinquency	296	(8)
Juvenile Runaways	297	(1)
Juvenile Prostitution	298	(2)
Juveniles and Drugs	300	(2)
Juveniles and Sex	302	(2)
Youth Countercultures and Delinquency	304	(3)
Teenage Satanic Groups	304	(1)
Youth Hate Groups	305	(2)
The Youth Subculture and Delinquency Prevention	307	(1)
Summary	308	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	309	(1)
References	309	(5)
Juvenile Gangs and Delinquent Behavior	314	(39)
Reading Objectives	314	(1)
Introduction	314	(1)
Predatory Youths: A National Alarm	314	(1)
The Solitary Delinquent	315	(2)
Group Delinquency	317	(1)
The Play Group	317	(2)
The Juvenile Gang	319	(3)
What Is a Gang?	319	(2)
History of Youth Gangs	321	(1)
Contemporary Youth Gangs in the United States	322	(3)
Number of Gangs and Members	322	(1)
Locale	323	(2)
The Motives for Gang Membership	325	(1)
Concept Application: Group Shoplifting and ``The Swarm''	326	(2)
Initiation Rituals	327	(1)
Gang Organization	328	(4)
The Near Group	329	(1)
Gang Graffiti, Slanguage, and Symbols	330	(2)
Composition of Gang Membership	332	(6)
Social Class	333	(1)
Racial and Ethnic Composition of Gangs	334	(2)
Female Participation in Delinquent Gangs	336	(2)
Gang Violence	338	(2)
Concept Application: ``The Weapon of Choice: The Dogs of War''	340	(3)
Drug Franchises and Gang Warfare	341	(1)
Gang Rape	342	(1)
Dyads and Triads	343	(1)
Explanatory Theories of Gang Formation and Behavior: A Summary and Synthesis	343	(3)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Urban Youth Gangs in Russia	346	(2)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	348	(1)
References	349	(4)
PART FOUR Social Control: The Juvenile Justice System	353	(84)
Introduction: Elements of Social Control	353	(2)
Juveniles and the Police	355	(24)
Reading Objectives	355	(1)
Introduction	355	(1)
Juvenile Encounters with Police	355	(2)
Policing Juveniles	357	(3)
Law Enforcement Role	359	(1)
Crime Prevention Role	359	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Policing Juveniles in Great Britain	360	(1)
Police Discretion in Handling Juveniles	361	(8)
Legal Factors	362	(3)
Extralegal Factors	365	(4)
Police and Due Process	369	(2)
Police, Community Policing, and Delinquency Prevention	371	(2)
Controversial Issue: Targeting Serious Habitual Offenders: Delinquency Prevention or Police Harassment?	373	(1)
Summary	374	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	375	(1)
References	376	(3)
Juvenile Court	379	(26)
Reading Objectives	379	(1)
Introduction	379	(1)
Historical Background of the Juvenile Court	380	(1)
The Child Savers Movement	381	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Development of the Juvenile Court in Canada	381	(2)
The Juvenile Court	383	(1)
The Juvenile Court and Due Process	384	(4)
Juvenile Court Procedures	388	(5)
Intake	388	(1)
Adjudication	389	(2)
Disposition	391	(2)
The Role of Attorneys in Juvenile Court	393	(2)
The District Attorney	393	(1)
The Defense Attorney	393	(2)
Controversial Issue: The Use of Attorneys in the Juvenile Court	395	(1)
Criticisms of the Juvenile Court	396	(2)
The Multifaceted Juvenile Court	398	(2)
The Future of the Juvenile Court	400	(1)
Summary	401	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	402	(1)
References	402	(3)
Juvenile Corrections	405	(32)
Reading Objectives	405	(1)
Introduction	405	(1)
Social Control and Deterrence Theory	406	(1)
Voluntary Social Control	406	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: The Caning of an American Youth in Singapore: Justice or Abuse?	407	(1)
Informal Social Control	408	(2)
Formal Social Control	410	(6)
Juvenile Probation	411	(1)
Restitution and ``Restorative Justice''	412	(1)
Juvenile Incarceration	413	(3)
Controversial Issue: Institutionalization versus Community Treatment	416	(4)
Juvenile Aftercare	417	(1)
Remanding Juveniles to Adult Courts	417	(2)
Juveniles in Adult Jails and Prisons	419	(1)
Capital Punishment for Juveniles	420	(1)
Controversial Issue: Should Juveniles Be Executed?	421	(3)
Deinstitutionalization, Community Corrections, and Diversion	424	(7)
House Arrest	426	(1)
Youth Service Bureaus	426	(1)
Scared Straight!	427	(1)
S.H.A.P.E.U.P.	428	(1)
Place	429	(1)
VisionQuest	429	(1)
Juvenile Boot Camps	430	(1)
Other Diversion Programs	431	(1)
Evaluation of Deinstitutionalization, Community Corrections, and Diversion	431	(1)
Summary	432	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	433	(1)
References	433	(4)
PART FIVE Strategies for Dealing with Juvenile Delinquency	437	(60)
Introduction: Approaching Treatment and Prevention in a Social Context	437	(2)
Treatment and Prevention Strategies	439	(28)
Reading Objectives	439	(1)
Introduction	439	(1)
Treatment Ideology and Delinquency Treatment Programs	440	(1)
Controversial Issue: Applying the Medical Model in the Treatment of Delinquency	441	(1)
Behavior Modification	442	(5)
Transactional Analysis	444	(1)
Reality Therapy	445	(1)
Group and Individual Counseling and Therapy	446	(1)
Prevention Ideology and Delinquency Prevention Programs	447	(2)
Early Identification	448	(1)
Predelinquents and Early Intervention	448	(1)
Sociological Approaches to Delinquency Treatment and Prevention	449	(1)
Cross-Cultural Focus: Delinquency Prevention in Japan	450	(8)
The Chicago Area Project	451	(1)
The Mid-City Project	452	(1)
Mobilization for Youth	452	(1)
Minnesota Youth Advocate Program	453	(1)
Neighborhood Youth Corps and Job Training	453	(1)
The Highfields Project	454	(1)
The Provo Experiment	455	(1)
Millcreek Youth Correctional Facility	455	(1)
The Paint Creek Youth Center	456	(1)
Project New Pride	456	(1)
Mentoring Programs	456	(1)
Other Programs	457	(1)
Mobilizing the Community to Prevent Delinquency	458	(4)
Crimestoppers and Hotlines	459	(1)
Neighborhood Watch and Youth Crime Watch	459	(1)
Guardian Angels	460	(1)
S.H.O.D.I.	460	(1)
Gang Intervention and Prevention Programs	461	(1)
Evaluation of Delinquency Treatment and Prevention Strategies	462	(1)
Summary	462	(1)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	463	(1)
References	464	(3)
Rethinking the Delinquency Problem	467	(30)
Reading Objectives	467	(1)
Introduction	467	(1)
The Social Nature of Juvenile Delinquency	468	(2)
Eliminating the Marginal Status of Juveniles	470	(6)
Rites of Passage	471	(3)
Meaningful Social Participation	474	(2)
Concept Application: Meaningful Social Participation for Youths	476	(1)
Standardization or Elimination of Juvenile Codes	477	(1)
Decriminalization of Status Offenses	478	(1)
Revision of the Juvenile Court	479	(4)
Limited Jurisdiction	480	(1)
Due Process	481	(1)
Professional Judges and Court Personnel	481	(1)
Dispositional Alternatives	482	(1)
Other Revisions	482	(1)
Modification of Juvenile Corrections	483	(1)
Controversial Issue: Should Juvenile Courts Be Abolished?	484	(3)
Strengthening the Family	487	(1)
Changing the Educational System	488	(2)
Redefining Juvenile Delinquency	490	(2)
Summary	492	(2)
Concept Integration: Questions and Topics for Study and Discussion	494	(1)
References	494	(3)
Glossary	497	(18)
Name Index	515	(8)
Subject Index	523