Criminology

  Review the theories listed in your text regarding the causes of juvenile delinquency as outlined in chapters 3-5. Select the theory or theories (maximum of 3) you most clearly believe to be an accurate explanation of delinquency in this country. Spend 2 to 3 pages explaining the history of the theories and write about the studies that have been conducted. Based upon the theory or theories (maximum of 2) you have selected, write about the appropriate program(s) that would be most effective in preventing juvenile delinquency. You must name a SPECIFIC program. You cannot just say “effective intervention,” for example. The idea is that the theory and program need to be validly connected. If for example, you select a biological theory, then the treatment would involve diet, medication, exercise etc. The idea behind this assignment is to ensure that you can make an accurate connection between the theory and the prevention program. The paper must have a minimum of 5 properly cited references, and the body of your report should be 6 to 8 pages. You can use either MLA or APA format. Juvenile Delinquency Final Paper Intro: • Delinquency is growing • Social Structure Theory o Social Disorganization o Strain o Cultural Deviance • Programs Body I • History of SST o Roots back to Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)  “a society without shared norms and values will function poorly” o 1950s and 1960s, structural theories represented the dominant sociological perspective on crime and deviance o American Dream led to many going to delinquent behavior Body II • Social Disorganization Theory o Roots to Durkheim o Advanced by Shaw and Mckay  Viewed as situational, not as inevitable in poor neighborhoods  Socioeconomic status, race, ethnic background, residential stability. o Studies from 1940-1960 link SDT and crime Body III • Strain Theory o Stress increases likelihood of crime o Create anger and lead to “corrective action” o Created in 1940 from Robert Merton  Failure of people to achieve American Dream  Meant to talk about social class Body IV • Cultural Deviance Theory o Blend of previous two o People aren’t responsible for their deviance as much as the environment around them is o People are influenced by their surroundings and stress is brought by them Body V • Preventive Programs o Classroom and behavior management programs o Multi-component classroom-based programs o Social competence promotion curriculums o Conflict resolution and violence prevention curriculums o Bullying prevention programs o Afterschool recreation programs o Mentoring programs o School organization programs o Comprehensive community interventions Conclusion • Wrap everything up • Summarize theories • Programs to prevent deviance