Juvenile delinquency, often consisting of serious violent and property crimes, is a serious problem in the United States. The true nature of the problem can only be understood by expanding the definition of juvenile delinquency to include 'social incompetence,' which encompasses the inability to postpone gratification, compliance with negative peer influences, and the willful neglect of school work. In the 1960's intervention programs focused on expanding middle-class values and economic benefits to all families in the belief that lack of opportunity and normative role models produced delinquency. Current programs focus on enabling families to provide healthy interactions with their children and helping other social institutions, such as the school, to influence children positively. Effective primary delinquency prevention programs focus on social skills training, early childhood intervention programs, family support programs, and the role of the school. Elements of successful programs include activities tailored to the child, parental involvement, followup, and comprehensive services. Program evaluations should be conducted independently and encompass long-term effects. Programs suitable for adoption and replication on a large scale should demonstrate cost effectiveness. 120 reference.