Discussion question 6.1

Learning Resources

Please read and view (where applicable) the following Learning Resources before you complete this week’s assignments.

Readings

Course Text: Juvenile Delinquency

·          

Chapter 7, “Gender and Delinquency”

o     

“Gender Ratio in Offending”

“Social Content of Delinquency: Gender Roles and Delinquency”

• “Explanations of Female Delinquency”
• “Gender Bias and the Processing of Female Delinquents”

o    Chapter 10, “Gangs and Delinquency”

o    Chapter 11, “Drugs and Delinquency” (Review from Week 5)

o    Chapter 12, ” Juvenile Justice Process”

o     

• “The Juvenile Justice System Today” (Review from Week 4)
• “What works for Whom and in What Context”
• “Graduated Sanctions in Juvenile Justice”
• “Trends for the Future”

o    Chapter 14, “Juvenile Court”

Media

·         Interactive Module: “The Future of Juvenile Justice,” Copyright (2008) by Pearson Learning Solutions. Used with the permission of Pearson Education. Boston, MA.
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/pcp/pls/pls_mycoursetools/fufillment/mct_94735_laureate/future_juv_jus/default.htm

Optional Resources

Readings

·         Article: Doughty, S. (2009, March 19). Could your child be in a gang? Evidence suggests more youngsters across the UK are joining gang. A move which could lead them into illegal and dangerous activities. Reporter SOPHIE DOUGHTY reports on the situation in the North East and what’s being done to help. Evening Chronicle, 6.
Use the ProQuest Central database, and search using the article’s Document ID: 1663787491.

·         Article: Heartbreak ‘grooming’ tactics of the gangs; Teenager’s four months of rape, abuse and beatings: [North Edition]. (2007, March 8). Daily Record , 33.
Use the ProQuest Central database, and search using the article’s Document ID: 1229549611.

Websites

·         Website: Carlie, M. K. (2002). Into the abyss: A personal journey into the world of street gangs. Retrieved July 04, 2009, from http://people.missouristate.edu/MichaelCarlie/default.htm
This Web site provides findings based on years of gang-related field research, as well as an excellent and comprehensive collection of reference and related resources.

·         Website: National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC).
http://www.ngcrc.com/
This is the official Web site of NGCRC, which carries out research on gangs and gang members, disseminates information through publications and reports, and provides training and consulting services.

·         Website: Institute for Intergovernmental Research. National Gang Center (NGC).
http://www.iir.com/home/WhatWeDo/Gang_Initiatives/NGC
This Web site provides information on the growth and proliferation of gang activity in the United States.

Societal Changes and Juveniles

Today’s juveniles encounter a variety of issues and challenges that are very different, and in some cases more dangerous, than juveniles of previous generations. Societal changes related to technology, the family unit, drug use and abuse, and gangs among other things all present unique issues and challenges and, in some cases, lead to delinquent behaviors. For instance, over the past several decades, the number of single-parent and dual-earner households has increased, resulting in less parental supervision. In addition, the advent of the Internet and mobile communication technology now enables juveniles to interact with and befriend virtual strangers, without parental knowledge. These and many other societal changes not only influence the juvenile population in general, but also, in some cases, contribute to juvenile delinquency. Criminal justice professionals must be acutely aware of societal changes and anticipate how they might influence juveniles today and their behavior.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the Interactive Module, “The Future of Juvenile Justice.” Consider how various societal changes affect juveniles today and contribute to juvenile delinquency.

• Review the assigned pages in Chapter 7 of the course text, Juvenile Delinquency. Focus on societal changes that might contribute to juvenile delinquency among females.

• Review Chapter 10 of the course text, Juvenile Delinquency. Think about how peer groups and gang involvement among juveniles might contribute to juvenile delinquency.

• Select two societal changes that influence today’s juveniles and consider how.

• Think about how and why the societal changes you selected might contribute to juvenile delinquency.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post a brief description of two societal changes that influence today’s juveniles and explain how. Then explain how and why the societal changes you described might contribute to juvenile delinquency. Be specific and use examples to illustrate your explanation.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.