NCJ Number
46565
Date Published
1975
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A TYPOLOGY OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND PREADOLESCENTS IS PRESENTED IN A DISCUSSION CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEM OF MATCHING THE OFFENDER WITH THE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT.
Abstract
AN INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTE ILLUSTRATES HOW YOUTHS WITH SEEMINGLY SIMILAR BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS (STEALING) ACTUALLY HAVE VERY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS REQUIRING DIFFERENT TYPES OF THERAPY. THE FOLLOWING 'BEHAVIOR PACKAGES' ARE IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED: (1) UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR THAT IS ACTUALLY A NORMAL DEFENSE AGAINST BEING HURT; (2) THE BEHAVIOR OF YOUTHS WHO HAVE A PARTICULAR DEFICIT OR WHO HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT FOR WHICH THERE IS NO MARKETPLACE; (3) NONACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR THAT IS PART OF A NORMAL DEVELOPMENTAL PHASE; (4) BEHAVIOR RESULTING FROM DISEASE OR MISDEVELOPMENT; AND (5) THE BEHAVIOR OF YOUTHS WHO HAVE BEEN DRAWN INTO A CRIMINAL SUBCULTURE. EXAMPLES OF EACH TYPE OF BEHAVIOR ARE PRESENTED. IMPLICATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH JUVENILE DELINQUENTS ARE DISCUSSED. THE DANGERS OF ASSUMING THAT ONLY THE COMMUNITY OR ONLY THE INSTITUTION CAN HANDLE THE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS EXHIBITED BY YOUTHS ARE NOTED. (LKM)