It Takes a Village: Public Willingness to Help Wayward Youths

• NCJ Number: 199599
• Journal: Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2003 Pages: 32-45
• Author(s): Melissa M. Moon; Francis T. Cullen; John Paul Wright
• Date Published: January 2003
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Through a sample of Tennessee residents, this paper examines the public’s belief in the rehabilitation of youthful offenders and their willingness to personally assist in rehabilitation efforts.

Abstract

Over the past century, two competing images of youthful offenders have emerged. In one image, attributed by the authors to Hillary Rodham Clinton, youthful offenders are characterized as wayward youth in need of treatment and rehabilitation, not simply incarceration. In the other image, championed by William Bennett, et. al., youthful offenders are cast as violent “super-predators” who are willing to use violence at the slightest provocation. In this last scenario, youthful offenders are seen as morally void and thus, impossible to rehabilitate. The criminal justice system and the public have tended toward the view of Bennett and his colleagues. Juvenile justice systems around the country have adopted more punitive sentences and have steered away from treatment options. In light of the current trend in juvenile justice, the authors questioned how much public support for juvenile offender treatment programs actually exists. They surveyed a random sample of Tennessee residents to find out whether they supported juvenile offender treatment and whether they would be willing to volunteer in programs designed to help at-risk youth. Results of statistical analyses revealed that, despite the current punitive nature of the juvenile justice system, the public continues to support juvenile rehabilitation programs and believes in their effectiveness. Furthermore, a sizeable minority of the respondents was willing to volunteer their own time to help at-risk youth. In conclusion, the authors note that the public does recognize that Clinton’s view of it taking a “village to raise a child” is valid and would be willing to volunteer in programs designed to “rebuild the village.” Tables, references