Juvenile Delinquency: A Sociological Approach

Juvenile Delinquency: A Sociological Approach, Twelfth Edition, discusses delinquency as it relates to and emerges from youths’ families, neighborhoods, schools, peer groups, social classes, and overall cultural and social environments. With a student-friendly approach, the authors explore the different causes of juvenile delinquency, examine its behaviors and consequences in social contexts, explain the role of the police and court system, and propose strategies for treatment and prevention. Learning outcomes offer students a roadmap for major concepts and key ideas while end-of-chapter outcomes assessments stimulate critical thinking and discussion. In each chapter, “Global Focus on Delinquency” boxes look at delinquency in different societies, cultures, and subcultures and “Controversial Issue” boxes address critical questions. New to the Twelfth Edition: Dedicated section in each chapter covers intersectionality of social factors such as race, sex, gender, and sexual orientation to examine how they influence adolescent marginality New streamlined chapter combining topics on youth subcultures and gangs reflects the latest developments in the field while streamlining the book into a 15-chapter format New and updated discussion of latest research on the possible connection between video gaming and violence, cyberbullying, and school shootings, which have become prevalent in American cultureExpanded coverage of the influence of media is included in all chapters to highlight how our lives are influenced by mass media and especially social media

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments 1: A Sociological Approach to Juvenile Delinquency What Is Juvenile Delinquency? The Sociological Perspective Summary 2: Dimensions of Juvenile Delinquency Mass Media and Social Media as Sources of Delinquency (Mis)Information Juvenile Delinquency Data Official Sources of Delinquency Information Unofficial Sources of Delinquency Information Extent and Trends of Juvenile Delinquency Summary 3: Classical, Biological, and Psychogenic Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency The Link Between Biology and Behavior: Myths and Folklore The Classical School of Criminological Thought Twentieth Century Constitutional Typologies The Continuing Search for a Biological Connection The Psychogenic Approach and the Medical Model Adolescent Identity Crisis and Delinquency Media Violence, Video Games, and Aggressive Behavior Predictors of Youth Violence Evaluation of the Biological and Psychogenic Approaches Summary 4: Social Strain and Cultural Transmission Theories Social Strain Theories Cultural Transmission Theories Media, Social Media, Strain, and Transmission of Cultural Values Summary 5: Social Learning and Social Control Theories Social Learning Theories Social Control Theories Summary 6: Labeling and Conflict Theories Labeling Theories Conflict Theories Intersectionality, Labeling, and Conflict Summary 7: Integrated Theories: Maturation/Life-Course and Rational Choice/Deterrence Maturation and Life-Course Theories Rational Choice Theory and Deterrence Theories Back to the Future: Prospects for Grand Theory Building Summary 8: Female and LGBTQ+ Delinquency and Feminist Theories Sex, Gender, and Delinquency Female Delinquency Explaining Female Delinquency Traditional Sociological Theories and Female Delinquency Feminist Theories of Crime and Delinquency Evaluation of Theories of Female Delinquency Juvenile Delinquency in the LGBTQ Community Summary 9: Families and Delinquency The Changing Role of the Family The Importance of the Nuclear Family and the Creation of “Adolescence” The Family as an Agent of Socialization Families and Media Intersectionality: Family Variables and Juvenile Delinquency The Family and Delinquency Prevention Summary 10: Schools and Delinquency School as an Arena Schools and the Socialization Process Juvenile Delinquency and the School Experience Schools as a Screening Device Intersectionality: Social Class, Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Gender, LBGTQ+ and Schools Schools as “Combat Zones” Schools and Delinquency Prevention Summary 11: Youth Subcultures, Gangs, and Delinquency Culture, Subcultures, Countercultures, and Gangs Distinctive Elements of Youth Subcultures Youth Subcultures and Juvenile Delinquency Youth Countercultures and Gangs Youth Gangs in the United States Intersectionality and Composition of Gang Membership Gang Intervention and Prevention Programs Summary 12: Juveniles and the Police Juvenile Encounters with Police Policing Juveniles Media Images of Police and Law Enforcement Police Discretion in Handling Juveniles Police and Due Process Police, Community Police, and Delinquency Prevention Summary 13: Juvenile Courts and Corrections Child Savers Moment Juvenile Court The Media and “Getting Tough on Crime” Waiver: Remanding Juveniles to Adult Courts Juvenile Courts, Due Process, and the U.S. Supreme Court Juvenile Corrections Deinstitutionalization and Diversion Intersectionality of Race/Ethnicity, Sex/Gender, and LBGTQ+ in Juvenile Justice Summary 14: Delinquency Treatment and Prevention Medicalization and Medical Treatment for Social Problems Media and the Medical Model of Delinquency Treatment Ideology and Delinquency Treatment Programs Prevention Ideology and Delinquency Prevention Programs Sociological Approaches to Delinquency Treatment and Prevention Mobilizing the Community to Prevent Delinquency Evaluation of Delinquency Treatment and Prevention Strategies Summary 15: Rethinking the Delinquency Problem The Social Nature of Juvenile Delinquency Eliminating the Marginal Status of Juveniles Standardization or Elimination of Juvenile Codes Decriminalization of Status Offenses Revision of the Juvenile Court Modification of Juvenile Corrections Strengthening the Family Changing the Educational System Redefining Juvenile Delinquency The Role of the Media in Redefining Juvenile Delinquency Institutional Bias Related to Race/Ethnicity, Sex/Gender, LBGTQ+, and Social Class Summary Glossary References Photo and Cartoon Credits Index

About the Author :
William E. Thompson is professor emeritus of sociology and criminology at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Mica L. Thompson is adjunct instructor of sociology at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Review :
For the first time in decades, there is a textbook that deserves five stars. Thompson, Bynum, and Thompson’s coverage of the major delinquency theories are presented with both sophistication and clarity. The questions at the conclusion of each chapter are thought provoking and ideal for class discussion. This book offers a thorough sociological perspective on juvenile delinquency today in the United States. Using current data, an introduction to criminological theories, and critical examination of historical, social, and legal contexts, this book is thought-provoking to undergraduate students who were juveniles themselves not long ago. Written in an engaging style, Juvenile Delinquency: A Sociological Approach provides students with a thorough analysis of core concepts and theories in juvenile delinquency. It contains global examples and highlights controversial issues. For those who want to understand the sociology of juvenile delinquency, this is the book to use.