U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Juvenile Delinquency

NCJ Number
90103
Author(s)
R G Caldwell; J A Black
Date Published
1971
Length
358 pages
Annotation
Using a socio-legal framework for discussion, this textbook examines the problem, the causation, and the correction and prevention of juvenile delinquency.
Abstract
The discussion opens with a definition of juvenile delinquency as a legal concept and proceeds to an examination of delinquency as a social problem. To illustrate how this framework can be applied to particular types of delinquency and provide materials related to timely and significant adolescent problems, juvenile alcohol and drug abuse are considered. Relying on the most recent data available, a statistical overview of the extent of juvenile delinquency is next presented, along with an assessment of the various methods for measuring the amount of delinquency in American society. After analyzing the trend toward viewing delinquency from a typological perspective, causes of delinquency are considered. In addition to evaluating theories, concepts, and empirical findings, numerous case studies which focus on major sets of causal factors are provided. The text uses a broad frame of reference that covers the full range of pertinent theories, discussing their strengths and weaknesses and drawing conclusions justified by existing knowledge. The approach draws upon the fields of biology, anthropology, sociology, psychology, psychiatry, medicine, and law. The presentation concludes with an analysis of the dimensions of delinquency control. Not only are crucial social and legal issues in sentencing and correctional settings addressed, but recommendations are offered for improving the involved agencies. About 180 bibliographic entries and a subject index are provided. (Author summary modified)