NCJ Number
5372
Journal
JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL LAW, CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE SCIENCE Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1971) Pages: 398-406
Date Published
1971
Length
11 pages
Annotation
SUBSTANTIATION OF THE NOTION THAT SELECTED DELINQUENT ACTS ARE ACCEPTED AS NORMATIVE BEHAVIOR BY MIDDLE-CLASS BOYS.
Abstract
IN A SURVEY OF ADOLESCENT BOYS, IT WAS FOUND THAT THEY TEND TO DEFINE DELINQUENT ACTS, WHICH VIOLATE TRADITIONAL MIDDLE CLASS VALUES, AS SERIOUS. ADDITIONALLY, A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LOSS OF POPULARITY AMONG PEERS FOR FAILING TO PARTICIPATE IN SELECTED DELINQUENT ACTS AND THE SERIOUSNESS WITH WHICH THESE ACTS WERE DEFINED WAS ALSO FOUND. THE SIMILARITY WITH WHICH BOTH YOUNG AND OLDER BOYS DENIED PEER APPROVAL, INDICATES A CONTINUANCE OF A YOUTH CULTURE, IN WHICH DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR IS ACCEPTED AS NORMATIVE BEHAVIOR.