Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Adolescence and Delinquency

Introduction to Juvenile Delinquency

• The adolescent brain is still developing; often leads to poor judgment and impulsivity.

  • Frontal Cortex: Responsible for self-control and effective judgment.

  • Disconnect between emotional brain development and the maturity needed for self-discipline.

Legal Considerations in Juvenile Cases

• Graham v. Florida (2010): U.S. Supreme Court abolished life imprisonment without parole for juveniles.

• Miller v. Alabama (2012): Mandatory life without parole for juveniles disregards their developmental characteristics.

• Montgomery v. Louisiana (2016): Made the ban on life without parole retroactive for juveniles.

Defining Juvenile Delinquency

• Juvenile Delinquency: Acts by minors violating penal codes.

• Criteria for Delinquency:

  1. Offender is under age jurisdiction.

  2. Act is criminal if committed by an adult.

  3. Offense is addressed by juvenile court jurisdiction.

Understanding Adolescence

• Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood, characterized by:

  • Experimentation and risk-taking behavior.

  • Discounting long-term consequences.

  • Heightened peer influence.

• Historically, adolescents viewed as small adults before the 1930s.

Delinquency Trends in Adolescence

• Increase in delinquency during adolescence due to:

  • Greater freedom from parental supervision.

  • New material desires without legitimate means.

  • Prolonged adolescence expands developmental struggles.

• Cultural contexts contribute to the gap between needs and available opportunities.

The Evolution of Modern Adolescence

• Shift from child labor and abuse towards a child-centered culture.

• The importance of public schooling in shaping modern perspectives on adolescence.

• Development of legal protections in the 1960s and 70s indicating adolescents need special care.

Historical Context of Adolescent Treatment

• Treatment of adolescents has changed drastically:

  • Past: Treated as small adults, expected to work young, care was minimal.

  • Present: Emphasis on education, emotional investment, and legal protections for minors.

Youth Culture

• Unique beliefs and behaviors characterized by the interactions of young people.

  • Influenced by trends, class, gender, race, and ethnicity.

The Selfie Generation

• Refers to youths significantly influenced by social media and personal tech.

• Interaction styles shaped heavily by digital communications.

Youth At Risk

• Increasing diversity among children, with statistics reflecting population changes.

• High rates of adolescents engage in problem behaviors leading to juvenile justice exposure.

High-Risk Behaviors

• High-risk youths often come from difficult backgrounds, linking multiple problems:

  • Abuse, educational deficiencies, and substance abuse.

• Patterns show that such behaviors lead to a higher likelihood of delinquency.

Status Offenders

• Classification of behaviors leading to juvenile court involvement:

  • Eg. truancy, incorrigibility, etc.

• Societal perceptions often lead to misunderstandings between youth and authority figures.

Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders

• Movement towards separating status offenders from delinquents in the juvenile justice system.

  • Emphasis on social services over detention.

Crossover Youth

• Youths moving between child welfare and juvenile justice systems due to falling through the cracks.

  • Often have co-existing mental health and substance abuse issues.

Historical Handling of Justice-Involved Youth

• The societal response has shifted over history from punitive measures to protective and rehabilitative strategies:

  • Colonial Period: Harsh public punishments.

  • Houses of Refuge: State control supersedes family authority.

  • Juvenile Courts: Introduction of parens patriae, focusing on rehabilitation.

  • Recent decades witness swings toward punitive approaches for serious juvenile offenders.

Major Trends Influencing Delinquency Control

• Response to delinquency has evolved reflecting societal views:

  • From a community and rehabilitative focus to more punitive measures in light of serious crimes.

• Initiatives reflect a move toward stricter regulations surrounding juvenile behavior.

Developmental Life-Course Theory

• Explores the interaction between personal growth and behavioral outcomes.

  • Considers protective factors and risks across different ages.

Delinquency and Social Policy

• Focus on improving youth lives and addressing delinquency through evidence-based practices.

Conclusion and Focus of the Text

• Examines delinquency over the life course and its relation to social policies.