NCJ Number
151571
Journal
USA Today Dated: (January 1994) Pages: 23-25
Date Published
1994
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Although the homicide rate in the U.S. fell in 1992, 6 percent from the previous year, experts warn that the nation may be on the verge of a crime wave that will last well into the 21st Century.
Abstract
This is because the rate of homicides committed by juveniles is increasing. According to these authors, an adolescent armed with a gun is more likely to pull the trigger than a similarly armed adult, without fully considering the consequences either to the victim or to himself. This phenomenon is attributed by researchers to the growing influence of negative socializing forces, including drugs, guns, television, and movies, and to the declining influence of family, school, religion, and community. Social and economic changes in society have decreased the time that mothers spend with their children and left too many children in homes that are broken by divorce. As a result, many children spent large amounts of time undersocialized and undersupervised. The solution lies not in trying juvenile offenders in adult courts or incarcerating them for longer periods of time, but in creating programs for elementary school children that will encourage the development of prosocial behaviors.