THE ROLES OF THE JUVENILE, THE PARENT AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ITSELF IN CREATING AND CONTINUING THE PROBLEM OF STATUS DELINQUENCY ARE EXAMINED IN SOME DETAIL. THE AUTHOR PROVIDES A MOVING ACCOUNT OF THE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS OF THE STATUS OFFENDER, WHO MAY BE INSTITUTIONALIZED FOR YEARS FOR SUCH MINOR OFFENSES AS TRUANCY, INCORRIGIBILITY, OR RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME. IT IS STRESSED THAT MANY TIMES THE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT, NOT JUST THE JUVENILE, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EMERGENCE OF THESE DELINQUENT ACTIVITIES. AFTER REVIEWING ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST RETENTION OF JUVENILE COURT JURISDICTION OVER STATUS OFFENDER CASES, THE TEXT DISCUSSES SEVERAL ALTERNATIVE, NONLEGAL MEANS OF DEALING WITH THESE TYPES OF JUVENILES.