Delinquency Social Theory

When asked to choose a topic to apply social theory to this semester, I chose Juvenile Delinquency. Juvenile delinquency is a topic that sparks my interest because of its rich complex and deep history, but yet remains ever changing in its nature. At first I thought the topic was too narrow and that delinquency was an as simple as one committing the crime, than being punished. However throughout the semester I have learned that there is much more then meets the eye when analyzing juvenile delinquency. I now recognize how thought-provoking it is to apply theory to juvenile delinquency and deviance because of the abundance of social factors that play key roles in why youths become delinquent. Some social factors that shape delinquency are race,

The study conducted took place in 4 urban and suburban communities, 2 in Colorado, 1 in Florida and 1 in Ohio. The research concluded that the median age of a person when joining a gang, and the age of the youth’s first arrest is as young as 14 years old. Once joining a gang the research indicates a high probability that the member will commit serious and violent crimes. The article concluded that neither juvenile gangs nor at risk youth controlled the drug trafficking in their communities. Both Juvenile gangs and at risk youth both agreed that they would require a pay of $15-$17 and hour before they would stop dealing drugs. Gang members also earned more money selling drugs to fewer people then at risk youth did. When it came to owning powerful and lethal weapons 90% of juvenile gangs had owner ship, while 50% of at risk youth owned powerful and lethal weapons. Over all juveniles in gangs tend to be more deviant and commit more crimes then their at risk peers. The crimes that are more likely to be committed by gang members are auto theft, carrying concealed weapons in schools, theft, assaulting rivals, assaulting victims and witnesses, homicide, drive by shootings, and selling, stealing, and using drugs. Using the Symbolic Interactionist perspective I can theorize on why some of the

In Meda Chesney-Lind’s book the female offender: Girls, Women, and Crime we learn that criminology has fallen victim of the “Stag effect”. It’s noted that the field of criminology attracts a great deal of men who want to address criminology in a scholar light. Although there are many females who study in this field, criminology as a discipline is primary composed of men. Feminists are now coming to the realization that since this field is composed of men, most of the studies and research conducted occurs on male subjects. The sexism that occurs within research has several repercussions, such a criminologist and sociologist adapting theories to understand human behavior, which implies, both male and female behavior. However, most research takes place primarily on males. This sexism is present in many sectors, but it is noted that men participate in prostitution specifically. Young men are over whelming present in juvenile delinquency data, as well as detention facilities. Many variables contribute the accuracy of this data. Many feminists argue that the “chivalry factor” occurs often, and alters the percentage of young juvenile woman committing crimes. The chivalry factor is when a female is treated more compassionately by police, and all together suspected less. Many would argue against the chivalry factor because they believe females do commit less crime because of the ridged gender roles give them