Sociological Explanations of Delinquency (From Juvenile Justice: An Introduction, P 75-104, 2006 -- See NCJ-213986)

• NCJ Number: 213990
• Author(s): John T. Whitehead; Steven P. Lab
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 30 pages
• Sale Source: Anderson Publishing Co
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Curriculum
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter presents an overview of the major sociological theories of juvenile delinquency.

Abstract

Sociological theories of delinquency take into account many factors that possibly influence youth to engage in delinquent behaviors, including the neighborhood environment, peers, social and moral upbringing, the organization of society, economic conditions, and the impact of contact with the juvenile justice system. The major sociological perspectives of delinquency reviewed in this chapter are the ecological perspective, social learning theory, subcultural theories, routine activities and rational choice theories, anomie and strain theories, social control theory, and the labeling perspective. The theories that fall within the ecological perspective include the concentric zone theory, social disorganization theory, and social area analysis, all of which focus on the influence of the urban environment on criminal activities. Learning theories, including differential association theory, focus on the many factors that contribute to learning as this perspective contends that delinquency is a learned behavior. Subcultural theories emphasize the importance of conflict and tension among different populations within society as an influence on criminal behavior while routine activities and rational choice theories focus on how the normal routines of individuals either bring them opportunities for deviance or conformity. Anomie and strain theories contend that delinquency is a result of societal pressures to achieve and the absence of a legitimate means for achievement, while social control theory claims that delinquency is the result of weak or broken bonds to the community. Finally, the labeling perspective views delinquency as the result of being labeled a “deviant” by society. Critiques are offered of each theory and the authors consider how sociological theories have informed juvenile justice practice. Three discussion questions at the end of the chapter focus attention on how theory can inform practice. Key terms are listed. Tables, figure