Juvenile Crime

by Louise Gerdes

Overview

Through a balanced collection of articles from a variety of sources, this book explores many aspects of juvenile crime in the United States. Topics covered include the seriousness of the juvenile crime problem, the causes of juvenile crime and violence, the treatment of juvenile offenders by the criminal justice system, and policies that may help reduce juvenile crime. Essay sources include the Campaign for Youth Justice, National Juvenile Justice Network, Ted Nugent, Carmela Lomonaco, Tia Kim, and Lori Ottaviano.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737757323
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	06/27/2012
Series:	Opposing Viewpoints Series
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	15 - 17 Years

About the Author

B01

Table of Contents

Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints? 11

Introduction 14

Chapter 1 Is Juvenile Crime a Serious Problem?

Chapter Preface 23

1 The Severity of Juvenile Crime Is Increasing Wendy Murphy 26

2 The Problem of Juvenile Crime Is Exaggerated by the Media Randall G. Shelden 32

3 Adolescent Girls Are Becoming More Violent Colleen O'Connor 37

4 There Is No Evidence Showing a Rise in Violence 44 Among Adolescent Girls Margaret A. Zahn et al. 44

5 Youth Gangs Are a Serious Problem James C. Howell et- al. 51

6 The Problem of Youth Gangs Is Exaggerated Judith Greene Kevin Pranis 57

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 67

Chapter 2 What Are the Causes of Juvenile Crime and Violence?

Chapter Preface 69

1 Media Violence Can Lead to Juvenile Violence Carmela Lomonaco Tia Kim Lori Ottaviano 72

2 There Is No Evidence Suggesting Media Violence Leads to Juvenile Violence Lancet 79

3 From Victim to Aggressor: The Cycle of Youth Violence Dwain C. Fehon 84

4 Juvenile Crime Is More Likely in Single-Parent Families Curt Alfrey 93

5 Bullying Contributes to School Shootings Izzy Kalman 100

6 Blaming School Shootings on Bullying Can Cause More Harm than Good Kay S. Hymowitz 107

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 112

Chapter 3 How Should the Criminal Justice System Treat Juvenile Offenders?

Chapter Preface 114

1 The Criminal Justice System Should Treat Some Juveniles as Adults James C. Backstrom 117

2 Placing Juveniles in the Adult Criminal Justice System Is Counterproductive: Campaign for Youth Justice 120

3 A Juvenile Justice System That Favors Incarceration Increases Crime Dick Mendel 124

4 Efforts to Reduce Juvenile Incarceration Have Led to Positive Outcomes: National Juvenile Justice Network 132

5 It Should Be Possible to Sentence Juveniles to Life Without Parole Charles D. Stimson Andrew M. Grossman 140

6 Juveniles Should Not Be Sentenced to Life Without Parole Linda L. White 148

7 The Juvenile Justice System Should Address Racial Inequalities Jeff Armour Sarah Hammond 155

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 163

Chapter 4 What Policies Will Best Reduce Juvenile Crime?

Chapter Preface 165

1 Tough Juvenile Justice Policies Reduce Crime by Holding Juveniles Accountable James C. Backstrom 168

2 Alternatives to the Punishment-Oriented Juvenile Justice Model Are Necessary Liane Gay Rozzell 173

3 Civil Injunctions Are an Effective Way to Fight Gang Crime Whitney Tymas 178

4 Civil Injunctions Are the Wrong Way to Fight Gang Crime Tracy Velázquez 184

5 Strict but Reasonable Discipline Policies Are Necessary to Make Schools Safe Ken Trump 189

6 Zero-Tolerance PoHcies in Schools Hurt At-Risk Youth David R. Dupper 194

7 Arming Teachers Is Necessary to Reduce School Violence Ted Nugent 200

8 Arming Teachers Will Not Reduce School Violence Allen Rostron Brian Siebel 205

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 210

For Further Discussion 211

Organizations to Contact 215

Bibliography of Books 221

Index 224

Editorial Reviews

Review: Juvenile Crime "Each volume in the Opposing Viewpoints series could serve as a model...not only providing access to a wide diversity of opinions, but also stimulating readers to do further research for group discussion and individual interest. Both shrill and moderate, the selections—by experts, policy makers, and concerned citizens—include complete articles and speeches, long book excerpts, and occasional cartoons and boxed quotations...all up to date and fully documented. The editing is intelligent and unobtrusive, organizing the material around substantive issues within the general debate. Brief introductions to each section and to each reading focus the questions raised and offer no slick answers."—Booklist

From the Publisher