Sociological and Human Developmental Explanations of Crime: Conflict or Consensus

This paper examines multidisciplinary correlates of delinquency in an attempt to integrate sociological and environmental theories of crime with human developmental and biological explanations of crime. Structural equation models are applied to assess links among biological, psychological, and environmental variables collected prospectively from birth through age 17 on a sample of 800 black children at high risk for learning and behavioral disorders. Results show that for both males and females, aggression and disciplinary problems in school during adolescence are the strongest predictors of repeat offense behavior. Whereas school achievement and family income and stability are also significant predictors of delinquency for males, early physical development is the next strongest predictor for females. Results indicate that some effects on delinquency also vary during different ages. It is suggested that behavioral and learning disorders have both sociological and developmental correlates and that adequate educational resources are necessary to ensure channels of legitimate opportunities for high-risk youths

Genetic and Environmental Influences in Delinquent Peer Affiliation: From the Peer Network Approach

Mainstream criminologists have long maintained that delinquent peer group formation is largely a function of family-environmental variables, and have ignored self-selection into peer groups because of genetic proclivities. A small number of recent studies, however, suggest that genes are implicated in delinquent peer affiliation. Given the potentially far-reaching implication of such research findings, the authors replicate Beaver, Wright, & DeLisi\u27s (2008) study, among others, using a direct measure of peer delinquency. That is, the authors analyze the Add Health genetic data employing a measure of peer delinquency which is based on the delinquency counts reported by peers themselves rather than respondents‘ self-reports. Even employing this alternative measure, their results clearly support the original study, providing further evidence of genetic underpinnings of delinquent peer group formation

Identifying at Risk Youth for Delinquency in Southern West Virginia

Juvenile delinquency has been an important area of study. Academics, practitioners, politicians, and legal scholars have devoted their attention to basic questions about the nature of youth crime. This report was designed to identify which psychological and social variables are statistically reliable predictors of significant juvenile delinquency in southern West Virginia. In an effort to identify at risk youth, 200 subjects were administered a 16-question survey. This survey had a mixture of continuous and categorical psychological and social variables and the data was analyzed using Logistic Regression strategies. One hundred of the subjects had been referred to a juvenile probation officer; the other 100 subjects were southern West Virginia high school students. The findings from this research show there are a number of explanatory variables (predictors) for delinquency within the population. Neglect, child abuse, drugs, witnessing domestic violence, and delinquent peers were variables statistically related to juvenile delinquency in this study. The scope and limitation and further implications of the study are discussed

FAMILY SCAPEGOATING AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT

The clinical literature on families refers to the scapegoating of children by parents as a serious problem in certain dysfunctional families. This study explores scapegoating as a more general phenomenon that occurs in normal (i.e., non-clinical) families as well. The study utilized self-reports of 403 adolescents to assess the frequency and distribution of scapegoating in normal families and what adolescent difficulties are associated with family scapegoating. Most adolescent respondents reported experiencing family scapegoating. The pattern of family scapegoating self-reports varied more with the type of family conflict scapegoated than with the family member doing the scapegoating. Reports of family scapegoating were related to adjustment problems reported by the adolescent respondents. Also, there were less significant relationships between some forms of scapegoating and low self-esteem, delinquency and peer delinquency. Theoretical and clinical implications of the results were noted, as well as suggestions for future research

Adult Crime, Adult Time: Punishing Violent Youth in the Adult Criminal Justice System

Contemporary concerns about youth violence and related legislative reforms have resulted in greater numbers of adolescent offenders being handled in the adult criminal justice system. Although some past research suggests that juveniles transferred to adult court often receive somewhat lenient treatment, more recent studies focusing on violent youthful offenders have found the adult system to be more punitive in nature. This study examined this issue for 557 violent youths fromPennsylvania, of which 138 were judicially waived to adult court. Statistical analyses revealed that, in terms of punishment certainty, severity, and swiftness, juveniles transferred to adult court were treated more harshly than were those retained in juvenile court, while juvenile court processing occurred much more quickly. Corresponding policy implications are discussed

Requisites for the Establishment, Implementation, and Evaluation of Social Work Treatment Programs for Anti-Social Children

Requisites for the establishment, implementation and evaluation of social work treatment programs for anti-social children are reviewed. Specific items discussed are: how does one ascertain the level at which change efforts should be directed, i.e., individual, group, organizational, or societal; what is the appropriate context for behavioral change; who should act as the change agent; what characteristics should the worker possess; what are the rationale for service provided; how long should the treatment continue; how does one prepare for the termination of treatment and maintenance of behavior; what organizational factors of treatment contexts are pertinent to the constructive delivery of services; what are the requisites for the adequate evaluation of treatment programs, and what are the characteristics of efficacious therapeutic programs for anti-social children. Throughout the manuscript relevant future research issues are reviewed

Renewing Juvenile Justice

Offers a historical and statistical overview of California's juvenile justice system and issues, including adult court transfers and probation practices. Suggests a model designed to improve outcomes for youth, their families, and caregivers

Does The Gender Gap In Delinquency Vary By Level Of Patriarchy? A Cross‐National Comparative Analysis

We examined crossâ national variation in the gender differential in offending, which is often referred to as the gender gap in crime. Analyses were directed toward two empirical questions: 1) Is the gender gap narrower in less patriarchal sociocultural settings, and if so, 2) is this outcome a result of higher levels of offending on the part of girls, lower levels of offending on the part of boys, or some combination thereof? To address these questions, we compiled a multilevel, crossâ national data set combining information on selfâ reported offending from the second International Self Report Delinquency Survey (ISRDâ 2) with normative and structural indicators of societal levels of patriarchy. The results from regression equations showed the gender gap in delinquency to be narrower at reduced national levels of patriarchy. The predicted probabilities calculated from regression coefficients suggested that this narrowing is a result of increased offending among girls and, to some extent, of decreased offending among boys in less patriarchal nations. Sensitivity checks with alternative model specifications confirmed these patterns but also identified a potential outlier. We discuss the implications of these descriptive findings for etiological research and theory.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140005/1/crim12161-sup-0001-SuppMat.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140005/2/crim12161_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140005/3/crim12161.pd