Race, Drugs, and Juvenile Justice Decision-Making

African American overrepresentation in the juvenile justice system has been increasing since the late 1970s. Most scholars have acknowledged that the War on drugs has played some role in the increase presence of African American youth in the juvenile justice system. In the present research, we use an interpretation of the symbolic threat thesis that emphasizes perceptions of decision-makers and racial stereotyping to examine the individual and joint effects of race and drugs on intake decision making. A sample of youth referred to juvenile court in four jurisdictions in the state of Iowa is used to test whether the probabilities of African American youth receiving more severe outcomes is enhanced in cases involving drug offenses. The findings have implications for expanding our understanding of when race matters in justice outcomes

The Effects Of Family Structure And Family Processes On Externalizing And Internalizing Behaviors Of Male And Female Youth: A Longitudinal Examination

The present study examined potential gender differences in the effects of family structure and family processes on externalizing and internalizing behavioral outcomes among youth over time. Using data from waves one through three of the Add Health study, results indicated that the relationship between family structure and family processes on behavioral outcomes varied depending on the specific externalizing or internalizing behavior. Family structure directly influenced three different externalizing behaviors, but indirectly influenced internalizing behaviors through its effect on maternal attachment and to some degree parental permissiveness. The long-term influence of family structure, family processes, and later externalizing and internalizing behaviors is complex. These relationships played out similarly across both male and female youth, suggesting that the effect of living in a single-parent home, subsequent family processes, and individual behavior and well-being may not be different across gender

The Effects Of Family Structure And Family Processes On Externalizing And Internalizing Behaviors Of Male And Female Youth: A Longitudinal Examination

The present study examined potential gender differences in the effects of family structure and family processes on externalizing and internalizing behavioral outcomes among youth over time. Using data from waves one through three of the Add Health study, results indicated that the relationship between family structure and family processes on behavioral outcomes varied depending on the specific externalizing or internalizing behavior. Family structure directly influenced three different externalizing behaviors, but indirectly influenced internalizing behaviors through its effect on maternal attachment and to some degree parental permissiveness. The long-term influence of family structure, family processes, and later externalizing and internalizing behaviors is complex. These relationships played out similarly across both male and female youth, suggesting that the effect of living in a single-parent home, subsequent family processes, and individual behavior and well-being may not be different across gender

The Likelihood Of A “Youth Discount” In Juvenile Court Sanctions: The Influence Of Offender Race, Gender, And Age

The juvenile court to varying degrees operates under the doctrine of parens patriae whereby decision makers can rely on both legal and extralegal considerations to decide a case outcome. Within this context, age is viewed as a factor in assessing the culpability of a youth that may result in what has been coined as a “youth discount.” Lacking is inquiry into the extent to which age acts as a mitigating determinant of juvenile justice outcomes for Whites, Blacks, males, females, and various race/gender combinations. Relying on interpretations of the symbolic threat perspective and theory that emphasizes racial and gender stereotyping, the present research examined the individual effects of race, gender, and age on court sanctions, as well as the joint relationships between these three offender characteristics with decision making. The results have implications for providing clarity into the contextual effects of race, gender, and age on juvenile justice proceedings