NCJ Number
84616
Journal
Urban Education Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (October 1981) Pages: 333-347
Date Published
1981
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the nature of the youthful offender, identifies nonacademic variables which are considered by educators, and emphasizes the belief that the youthful offender can be educated.
Abstract
Youthful offenders are persons under the age of 18 who have violated a State or local ordinance, become uncontrollable by parents, become truant from school, and endanger themselves or others through their behavior. The design of an effective educational program for youthful offenders requires an understanding of demographic characteristics which typically represent the youthful offender. Categories of characteristics include socioeconomic status, ethnicity, sex, family background, intellectual factors, and personal needs. In general, various studies have revealed conflicting conclusions about these categories. Schools can use preventive, rehabilitative, and integrative approaches to serve youthful offenders. Educators may not shirk their responsibility to the youthful offender because of preconceived bias based on demographic characteristics. Successful educational programs can be developed, as they have been for other nontraditional students such as the handicapped. The article provides 35 references.