Content area
Full Text
ABSTRACT
The present study compared 532 adolescents being detained by county juvenile authorities to 354 adolescents attending public school in reference to the volume of delinquent activity committed for a period of one year prior to the survey. Four levels of delinquent activity were developed, ranging from minor offenses such as runaway behavior to serious offenses such as assault. Participants were also compared on how they responded to several Likert-type questions that measured factors associated with the inclination to commit delinquent acts (anomie, social bonding, delinquent peer association, labeling, and self-esteem). This comparison provided information on the multiple pathways to delinquency which suggested forms of intervention.
Several years ago juvenile misbehavior was generally perpetrated by youths who were not enrolled in school (Fagan, Forst, & Vivon, 1987; Poulos & Orschowsky, 1994; Strasburg, 1984). The acts were usually performed away from the vicinity of the school. This safe zone no longer exists. Today, many-,f those detained by juvenile authorities are enrolled in public school and attend fairly regularly. Many of their offenses are now committed on school grounds and are directed toward fellow students or staff members (McDermott, 1983; Wilson, 1977). Juvenile delinquency is no longer the concern of only the juvenile authorities; it is now of concern to the general public and the public schools. The increase in serious juvenile crime has brought on a need for community protection and a more punitive juvenile justice system (Fagan et al., 1987; Hamparian, 1982).
The acts of violence in the nation's schools and surrounding communities have received attention from the media, parents, and educators. Public school systems have begun cooperating with other agencies such as law enforcement, community (social) services, and child care institutions to help curtail the threat. In order to reduce delinquency, the educational institution has become more sophisticated in identifying and assisting in the organizing of programs for potential and active delinquent students (Cernkovich & Giordano, 1992; Polk & Schafer, 1972).
In the present study two samples of school-age youths were surveyed in reference to delinquent involvement. They were compared in two areas: (1) the level of delinquent activity committed within one year; and (2) the variables frequently associated with delinquency. It is believed that information derived from this comparison can be...