NCJ Number
58467
Date Published
1977
Length
16 pages
Annotation
AFTER REVIEWING SOME OF THE LITERATURE AND THEORETICAL APPROACHES WHICH EXIST ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BOYS CLUBS IN THE HUNTINGTON, W. VA. AREA.
Abstract
THE FACT THAT CHILDREN WHO ARE DECLARED DELINQUENT MAY FACE CONSIDERABLE PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES HAS LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIVERSION AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS. SUCH PROGRAMS REMOVE YOUNGSTERS FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT THOSE CONDITIONS WHICH LEAD TO DELINQUENCY. ACCORDING TO THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION, DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR IS LEARNED IN INTERACTION WITH OTHERS (SUTHERLAND, 1974). BOYS CLUBS STRIVE TO PROVIDE POSITION INTERACTION IN TERMS OF EDUCATION, SOCIAL PROGRAMMING, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH, AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THESE CLUBS HAVE SOUGHT TO INCLUDE GIRLS, THE HANDICAPPED, ELDERLY, POLICE, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND OTHERS IN THEIR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES. STARTED IN 1959, THE CLUBS IN THIS AREA HAD 2,000 MEMBERS IN 1977 COMPARED TO 300 IN 1971. THE CLUBS FOCUS ON PROGRAMS THAT AFFECT DELINQUENCY RATES, SUCH AS DRUG EDUCATION LECTURES AND RAP SESSIONS, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE PROBLEMS, EMPLOYMENT SKILLS, AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING. WHEREAS 55 BOYS WERE PLACED IN PART-TIME, TEMPORARY, OR FULL-TIME JOBS IN 1974 TO 1975, THIS NUMBER HAD INCREASED TO OVER 100 IN 1975 TO 1976. THERE IS A 51 MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS. EVERY ONE OF THE 15 UNIT LEADERS EITHER HAD OR WERE WORKING ON COLLEGE DEGREES. THESE LEADERS OF LOCAL BOYS CLUBS WERE FOUND TO BE FLEXIBLE IN THEIR APPROACHES AND VIEWED EACH YOUTH AS A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THE CITY, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, STATE, AND CITIZENS GROUPS HAVE ACTIVELY SUPPORTED THE CLUBS' ACTIVITIES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP).