Some 70 reports are reviewed, all having been published since the mid-1960's. Findings show that at least some violative behavior is a part of the life experience of the majority of American youth. Further, while the studies do yield data suggesting some variations along ethnic, social class, sexual, or character lines, neither violative behavior in general nor any major type of such behavior is the particular domain of any one segment of youth. Violative behavior by boys apparently exceeds that of girls by a factor of about two to one, rather than four to one as would be suggested by arrest statistics. While girls appear to be less involved in violence than boys, the two sexes seem more similarly involved in status offenses. Status offenders, minor offenders, and serious offenders are not in all ways separate groups. Frequent status offenses, association with other youth often involved in trouble, alienation from school and family, and involvement in serious violative acts apparently tend to vary together. Several of the self-report studies indicate that the school is a critical social context for the development of delinquent behavior. The prevalence of violative acts among youth suggests that service planning must take into account a wide range of psychological, familial, social, educational, vocational, and other needs manifested by large segments of the youth population. Policy implications derived from particular findings are discussed. A total of 68 footnotes are listed, and a tabular summary of the studies is appended. (Author summary modified)