NCJ Number
77984
Journal
American Behavioral Scientist Volume: 23 Issue: 5 Dated: (May/June 1980) Pages: 667-680
Date Published
1980
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Using the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) and the National Crime Survey data, this article examines the scope and characteristics of the phenomenon of youth violence.
Abstract
The data indicate that the amount of youth violence is considerably greater than it was in the early 1960's, as is the rate of violence committed by youth. However, the composite amount and rate of violence committed by youth appears to have peaked about 1975 and has since been generally decreasing. Violence against youth also appears to be decreasing. Youth are the largest group of victims of violent crime committed by other youth. As the baby boom cohort has moved into adulthood, the rate of violence against youth has also begun to decrease. Violence by youth was primarily robbery and aggravated assault; violent youth were more likely to be males aged 15-17, with minorities being overrepresented. Violence was most likely to occur in urban areas, with gang activity being a significant factor. Moreover, urbanization was a strong factor in violence against youth. Finally, policy issues and responses need to be reassessed as youth violence trends change and as additional research findings emerge. Incarceration of violent juvenile offenders in both the juvenile justice and mental health systems should be examined, along with the types of services and treatment offered both in the community and in institutions. Tabular data and 14 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)