NCJ Number
191061
Journal
Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 2000 Pages: 99-114
Date Published
2000
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper examines working with Asians in the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
The number of Asians in the United States is growing rapidly. As more Asians enter the country, and as children are born to Asian families who reside in the United States, the number of Asian youth in the juvenile justice system is likely to increase. Despite differences among Asian Americans generated by factors such as cultural origin, immigration experience, and length and place of residence in the United States, many Asian groups are likely to share certain characteristics that may affect the outcome of intervention. Differences in behavior and perception can affect the way juveniles respond to treatment. Practitioners must learn about those differences and structure interventions to assure the greatest probability of success. The paper uses a family systems framework to introduce several ways in which Asians may differ from the mainstream culture, and discusses the implications of those differences for successful practice. The differences between Asians of different nationalities and cultures warn practitioners against prejudgment and stereotyping, and underscore the need for additional research among persons of Asian descent. The paper cautions that, as the juvenile justice system becomes increasingly diverse in composition, practitioners must become increasingly sensitive and diverse in their response. References