Understanding Youth Crime – Theoretical Perspectives

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to youth crime theories and their implications.

Social Disorganization Theory

A theory that suggests urban industrial expansion undermines traditional social controls, leading to higher crime rates, especially in disorganized areas known as Transitional Zones.

Transitional Zone

An area that is particularly prone to crime and delinquency due to disorganization, low socioeconomic status, and inadequate community services.

Anomie

A state of normlessness or breakdown of social norms, leading to confusion and instability in societal expectations.

Status Frustration

A theory by Albert Cohen that posits lower-class delinquency is a reaction to the inability to achieve middle-class status and goals.

Differential Opportunity Theory

Proposed by Cloward and Ohlin; suggests that access to both legitimate and illegitimate opportunities influences delinquency.

Differential Association Theory

Edwin Sutherland's theory that posits criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others and is communicated through cultural transmission.

Self Control Theory

Travis Hirschi's theory which holds that individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in criminal behavior when not constrained by social controls.

Labelling Theory

A sociological theory that explores how being labeled as deviant can lead to further deviance, particularly through the stigmatization and withdrawal of social ties.

Radical Conflict Theory

Theory that emphasizes how societal structures, particularly economic ones, marginalize youth and lead to increased property crime.

Routine Activities Theory

A theory suggesting that crime occurs when a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian converge.

School-Prison Pipeline

The phenomenon wherein students are pushed out of educational environments and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems due to punitive disciplinary measures.

Critical Race Theory

A framework that examines the intersection of race, law, and societal structures, emphasizing the impact of racism and colonialism on criminal behavior.

Ethic of Care

A feminist perspective that emphasizes the moral importance of caring and the socialization of girls to prioritize relationships and care for others.

Acts of Resistance

Behavioral defiance against societal expectations, particularly among girls, as a means to assert independence and challenge traditional gender roles.

Youth Justice Outreach Program

A program aimed at providing support and counseling for youth facing challenges, helping them to manage their behavior and integrate into society.

Restorative Justice

An approach to justice focused on repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior, often involving dialogues between victims and offenders.