Dr. Empey correctly views the problem of delinquency in terms of its relationship to intimate, nurturing institutions such as the family, school, and community. He also reminds us that relationships between parents and children are closely related to all other formal and informal social structures. However, Dr. Empey overlooks issues related to Hispanic populations and incorrectly implies that social movements like the civil rights and women's rights movements have weakened the moral nets formed by the family and the school. More important, Dr. Empey underemphasizes the importance of economic forces in shaping family life. In fact, inadequate income is a crucial factor underlying juvenile delinquency. Moreover, a failure to adopt a national agenda for enhancing the economic productivity and the social functioning of our children will result in the most dramatic alteration of the quality of life that this Nation has ever experienced. Specific recommendations and 6 references. For the paper by Dr. Empey, See NCJ 111276.