Juvenile Delinquency

This book offers a comprehensive introduction to juvenile delinquency by defining and describing juvenile delinquency, examining explanations for delinquent behavior, and considering contemporary efforts to control delinquency through prevention and juvenile justice. The text cultivates an understanding of juvenile delinquency by examining and linking key criminological theories and research. Coverage includes:

• the historical origins and transformation of "juvenile delinquency" and juvenile justice;
• the nature of delinquency, addressing the extent of delinquent offenses, the social correlates of offending and victimization (age, gender, race and ethnicity, and social class), and the developmental patterns of offending;
• theoretical explanations of delinquency, with insights from biosocial criminology, routine activities, rational choice, social control, social learning, social structure, labeling, and critical criminologies;
• evidence-based practice in delinquency prevention and contemporary juvenile justice.

Fully revised and updated, the new edition incorporates the latest theory and research in the field of juvenile delinquency and provides expanded discussion of contemporary juvenile justice reform, evidence-based practice in delinquency prevention, and disproportionate minority contact throughout the juvenile justice process. This book is essential reading for courses on juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice.

The book is supported by a range of compelling pedagogical features. Each chapter includes key terms, learning objectives, an opening case study, box inserts that provide practical application of theory and research, critical thinking questions, suggested reading, useful websites, and a glossary of key terms. A companion website offers an array of resources for students and instructors. For students, this website provides chapter overviews, flashcards of key terms, and useful websites. The instructor site is password protected and offers a complete set of PowerPoint slides and an extensive test bank for each chapter―all prepared by the authors.

James Burfeind is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Montana. He earned a PhD in Criminology and Urban Sociology from Portland State University in Oregon. Professor Burfeind’s teaching and research interests are in criminological theory, juvenile delinquency, juvenile justice, and corrections. He is co-author with Ted Westermann of Crime and Justice in Two Societies: Japan and the United States (Brooks/Cole 1991). He has received a number of teaching awards, including "Most Inspirational Teaching," a university-wide award chosen by graduating seniors. He has considerable experience in juvenile probation and parole and adolescent residential care.

Dawn Jeglum Bartusch is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Valparaiso University in Indiana. She earned a PhD in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Professor Bartusch’s teaching and research interests are in the areas of criminological theory, juvenile delinquency, crime and inequality, and social stratification. Her research has appeared in Criminology, Social Forces, Law and Society Review, and the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.