Juvenile Delinquency : A sociological Perspective Thought and shared by Dr. J.N. Baliya Department of Educational Studies Central University of Jammu

Juvenile Delinquency: Social and Legal Perspectives Three historical developments that led to the concept of juvenile delinquency: The discovery of childhood and adolescence as developmental stages in the life cycle during the Enlightenment Period (1600s – late 1700s). The development of parens patriae as a legal concept in English Equity Law, beginning in the 14th century (1300s). The emergence of positivist criminology in the late 1800s.

Juvenile Delinquency: Social and Legal Perspectives” As a result of these historical developments: Adolescence began to be viewed as a distinct and crucial developmental stage – an age of dependency and risk. Juvenile delinquency is seen as a manifestation of problematic adolescent development. The scientific method was used to identify key causes of delinquent behavior, allowing for prevention, assessment, and reform. While the family was viewed as centrally important, the state has a vested interest in the welfare of children and must assume parental authority if the parents are unable or unwilling to handle their parental duties and responsibilities.

Social Causes broken homes (family) poor housing conditions friends’(Peer) influence exclusion racial descrimination violence on TV, radio and Internet

Sociological Theories associated with Delinquency Structural Theories: Anomie, Unequal Opportunity, Social Disorganization (Durkheim, Merton, Agnew, Messner and Rosenfeld, Shaw and McKay, Bursick) Social Process Theories: Socialization (Matza, Hirschi) Social Reproduction Theory: Human, Social, and Personal Capital (Hagan and McCarthy, Birmingham School) Dimensions of Social Organization: Race, Class, and Gender (numerous contemporary researchers)

Social Structural Theories: Anomie, Strain, Social Disorganization The focus of these theories is a stratified society and the unequal distribution of wealth and status as causes of crime. Anomie- state of normlessness, absence of social integration Disorganized neighborhoods and crime Inability to achieve social success (unequal opportunity) and crime Poverty and crime Unit 2 - 6

Durkheim and Anomie Anomie= absence of social ties that bind people to society, state of where norms about good and bad have little salience in people’s lives. Outcome of advanced Capitalism and ideology of individualism (latter 20th century U.S.) Who are you responsible to? Example of crime and responsibility. Weakening of social ties destabilizes society and leads to chaos. Collective good versus individual self-interest? Did Durkheim believe functional society’s had to chose between these two things or did he advocate balance between them? Why?

Merton and Strain Access to opportunities is largely a function of one’s status set, which defines a person’s position in the social structure. Status set includes occupation, neighborhood, age, sex, race, education, religion One’s location in the social structure does not fully determine opportunities for goal achievement or the individual’s perceptions of opportunities. Individuals do not determine whether they are strained or frustrated in isolation; they compare themselves to others in order to ascertain this. Strain= Discrepancy between goals and means in society and unequal access to their legitimate attainment. Modes of Adaptation= accept goals and means (conformist), accept goals and reject means (innovator) etc.

General Strain Theory Adding and emotional component to Merton and Durkheim (social psychological) strain results when youth place a high value on monetary success, do not view adherence to legit norms as a source of status or prestige, and feel they won’t be able to achieve monetary success through legitimate channels. This predicament creates negative affect (e.g., anger) for some and can foster criminal adaptations. Strain can result from: Prevention of achieving positively valued goals. Removing or threatening to remove positive phenomena one possesses Presenting or threatening to present one with noxious or negatively valued stimuli

Social Disorganization Theory Crime not evenly distributed geographically. Why? Concentric zones- crime varies in proximity to urban core. Why? Poverty, ethnic heterogeneity, urban decay, residential instability. These four factors disallow residents to exert informal and formal social control in their neighborhoods that would prevent crime. Role of social control by non-CJ agencies is critical. Citizens can prevent crime through bonding and community investment.

Social Process Theories: Social Control Theory Close associations with important institutions and individuals control behavior. People are born “bad” and must be controlled to be “good.” Unit 2 - 11

Social Control Theories (cont.) For Hirschi, delinquency should be expected if a juvenile is not properly socialized Proper socialization involves the establishment of a strong moral bond between the juvenile and society 220

Social Control Theories (cont.) This bond to society consists of: attachment to others commitment to conventional lines of action involvement in conventional activities belief in the moral order and law 221

Social Reproduction Theory We acquire at birth and accumulate through life unequal shares of various types of capital that alter and determine our life chances. In less advantaged community and family settings, parents who lack abundant social and cultural capital are less able to endow or transmit opportunities to their children. Children must adapt to these disadvantaged circumstances and often do through illegal pursuits. Schools and other institutions reproduce social class position. Channel people to certain lifestyles, goal attainment. Four types of Capital: Financial (tangible forms of material wealth such as money, credit, investment, and assets) Human capital (degrees, education, skills, training, and experience) Social capital (benefits from relationships individuals have with or resources they get from others) Personal capital (the desire for wealth, risk-taking propensity, willingness to cooperate, and competence-- see McCarthy and Hagan 2001).

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