NCJ Number
15741
Journal
Law and Society Review Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (SUMMER 1974) Pages: 583-614
Date Published
1974
Length
32 pages
Annotation
CRITIQUE OF EXISTING EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF POLICE AND COURT LABELING UPON JUVENILES.
Abstract
A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE LABELING THEORY OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR IS PRESENTED. THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WHEN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS VIEWED AS A LABELING AGENT ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THE MAIN BODY OF THE ARTICLE SUMMARIZES AND DISCUSSES THE RELEVANT RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF LABELING UPON JUVENILES. THE EMPIRICAL WORK MAY BE DIVIDED INTO THREE CATEGORIES: STUDIES WHICH SHOW THE EFFECT OF LABELING BY THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM UPON A YOUTH'S SUBSEQUENT BEHAVIOR, STUDIES WHICH SHOW THE EFFECT OF COMMUNITY AND FAMILY REACTION TO A YOUTH'S CONTACT WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND STUDIES WHICH SHOW THE EFFECT OF LABELING UPON A YOUTH'S SELFCONCEPT. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A WIDELY ACCEPTED THEORY, THERE HAS BEEN AS YET NO EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE THESIS THAT LABELING HAS AN EFFECT ON DEVIANT BEHAVIOR.