Add your conference to our Justice Events calendar

PUBLICATIONS

Stay Informed
Register with NCJRS to receive NCJRS's biweekly e-newsletter JUSTINFO and additional periodic emails from NCJRS and the NCJRS federal sponsors that highlight the latest research published or sponsored by the Office of Justice Programs.

NCJRS Abstract

The document referenced below is part of the NCJRS Virtual Library collection. To conduct further searches of the collection, visit the Virtual Library. See the Obtain Documents page for direction on how to access resources online, via mail, through interlibrary loans, or in a local library.

1 record(s) found

NCJ Number:	166320

Title:	Crime Waves, Culture Wars and Societal Transformations

Journal:	Crime, Law and Social Change Volume:26 Issue:2 Dated:(1996/97) Pages:101-124

Author(s):	D Kennedy

Date Published:	1997

Annotation:	The author argues that, during key periods of social change in American history, attempts to reform deviants and the debate over how to do it play an important role in redefining social values and norms and achieving a new consensus on those values and norms.

Abstract:	The period from 1968 to the present is identified as a key period of social change. This period is compared with two other periods in American history, the Antebellum Period (1820-1860) and the Progressive Period (1890-1920). Both periods witnessed a widespread sense of growing social disorder; fear of "dangerous classes" in urban areas; the belief that cities were being overrun by immigrants; and a general feeling that crime, poverty, and delinquency were out of control. The widespread sense of social breakdown during both periods represented a response to fundamental changes in society and resulted in significant social transformations. Basic changes in institutions of social control played a significant role in social transformations during the earlier periods. The author indicates the current period from 1968 to the present is strikingly similar to the previous two periods, in terms of the widespread popular fear of social breakdown and fundamental social changes. The impact of reforms on social control is explored in relation to general social transformations related to conservative versus progressive reforms, social tensions, religious influences, juvenile delinquency, incarceration, court decisions, the educational system, information technology, and social policies. 73 references

Main Term(s):	Criminology

Index Term(s):	Deviance; History of criminal justice; Political influences; Social change; Social classes; Social conditions; Sociological analyses; United States of America

Page Count:	24

Format:	Article

Type:	Historical Overview

Language:	English

Country:	Netherlands



	To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=166320

*A link to the full-text document is provided whenever possible. For documents not available online, a link to the publisher's website is provided. Tell us how you use the NCJRS Library and Abstracts Database - send us your feedback.

PUBLICATIONS

NCJRS Abstract

Find in a Library