DESPITE STRONG PURITAN BELIEF THAT THE FAMILY IS THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF CONTROL OVER CHILDREN, THE U.S. HAS A LONG HISTORY OF STATUS OFFENDERS. FAMILY BREAKDOWN BEGAN IN THE 1600'S WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF CHEAP LAND, MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR SONS TO LEAVE THE AUTHORITY OF THE FATHER. AS EARLY AS 1648, THE MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNMENT HAD A LAW AUTHORIZING THE TOWN TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR WAYWARD CHILDREN. THIS MOVEMENT HAS GROWN UNTIL STATUS OFFENDERS CONSUME A MAJOR PORTION OF JUVENILE COURT RESOURCES. THIS BOOK EXAMINES THE NEW YORK PERSONS IN NEED OF SUPERVISION (PINS) PROGRAM, THE HANDLING OF STATUS OFFENDERS IN EUROPE, AND THE PROBLEMS OF DEALING WITH PARENTS. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED ARE THE STRONG SEX-BASED DISCRIMINATION (GIRLS ACCOUNT FOR 25 PERCENT OF DELINQUENCY CHARGES AND 50 PERCENT OF PINS PROCEDURES), THE VAGUENESS OF LAWS DEFINING STATUS OFFENSES, AND THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE COURT PROCEEDINGS. SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGE ARE MADE. AN APPENDIX GIVES STATE STATUTES COVERING STATUS OFFENDERS AND OFFENSES LISTED. PROHIBITIONS AGAINST TEMPORARY DETENTION ARE NOTED. THERE IS AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY. SECTIONS OF THIS BOOK HAVE BEEN ACCESSIONED SEPARATELY (SEE NCJ-43044 THROUGH NCJ-43049).