Juvenile delinquents typically come abusive homes or homes in which the parents are antisocial. Although youthful prison inmates usually come from lower socioeconomic groups, juvenile delinquency also exists among middle-class and upper-class youth. Some theories of juvenile delinquency argue that people have free will and commit crimes because they choose to do so. Society's prevention efforts usually represent tertiary prevention, but primary prevention appears to be the most effective, followed by secondary prevention. Treatment efforts by mental health professionals need to provide youths with alternatives and skills such as education or job training. Most people believe that juveniles should be treated differently from adults, although this is a fairly modern idea. A multifaceted approach that combines many of the elements of incapacitation, diversion, and psychotherapy appears to be the most effective approach to juvenile rehabilitation. Questions and 15 references