Stratification and control by a dominant group leave many African American youth feeling powerless, alienated, and angry. A justice-based model of therapy focuses on self-efficacy, personal mastery, competent adaptive behavior, and community-building. The model supports resilience and the group process, and encourages advocating for justice-based…

Suggests that it is necessary to protect the privacy of government procedures that could compromise security, yet there is also a need to revise and fine-tune legislation that expands government authority. Asserts that all major corrections in the delicate balance between public safety and civil rights typically require corrections themselves. (NB)

Treatment programs promote individual solutions to substance abuse through changing dysfunctional behavior and relying on spiritual beliefs and practices. Root problems are understood to be diseases within the person. However, the social conditions implicated in causing the addiction remain unaddressed. Questions whether social workers can bring…

Analyzes psychological mechanisms by which moral control is selectively disengaged from inhumane conduct in ordinary and unusual circumstances. Explores the symptoms of moral exclusion as described in the literature. Presents categories that unify theory on moral exclusion and contribute practical classifications for use in empirical studies. (JS)

Examines wage-setting policies as different conceptualizations of fairness. Focuses on comparable worth as an alternative to existing wage-setting policies. Analyzes the contributions of social psychology research on distributive justice and procedural justice to understanding the determination of job worth and the dynamics of implementing…

Integrates the major conclusions of the papers on comparable worth in this special issue, and identifies additional relevant issues. Covers the following major topics: (1) history and conceptual issues; (2) social psychological aspects to pay equity; (3) job evaluation issues and applications; and (4) policy implementation and implications. (JS)

Discusses how children construct their experiences of justice and injustice and how abuse relates exclusively to the meaning assigned to these constructs. Notes that children's psychological adaptation is shaped by the legal system's response to the child's plight and how the traumatic event is interpreted according to the ethical standards that…

Reports on a study of differences in assumptions about a just world among 140 college students. Finds that nonminority students saw their personal worlds as less random, more just, and more benevolent than they saw the general world. Finds that minority students saw both the personal and the general world as less benevolent and less lucky. (CFR)

Discusses the growing use of mediation in U.S. juvenile justice. Identifies the goals of youth mediation programs. Describes prevention and intervention program models and school, parent-child, victim-juvenile offender, and youth corrections mediation efforts. Argues that communities must be proactive in building citizen participation and forming…

Discusses the application of moral orientations of justice and care in the context of classroom cheating incident. Explores the everyday moral choices inherent in teaching. Defines teaching as a relational activity concerned fundamentally with morality. (DK)

Identifies and discusses sections of the U.S. Constitution that support the provision of legal aid to poor people. Reviews Supreme Court cases that deal with this topic. Includes five suggested learning activities and a vocabulary list. (CFR)

Large numbers of problem youths are placed in homes and institutions by parents and the social service and juvenile justice systems. Such placement is costly and has adverse effects for the youths. Alternative home-based programs have been developed with high success rates and large cost savings. (BC)

Seattle's SafeFutures project focuses on intervention for children involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, the juvenile-justice system, particularly Cambodian and Vietnamese youth; girls involved with gangs; and violent, chronic juvenile offenders. Project services include classes on social and cultural issues for Asian parents, tutoring…

Discusses the controversial issues involved in the jury systems, such as jury selection, jury service, civic participation, and the role of the mass media. Stresses the importance of maintaining the public courtroom as a means for encouraging fair trials and not allowing closed courtrooms. Provides an accompanying article, "The Citizen's Jury," by…

Describes a system partnership program model in which schools, social services agencies, and criminal justice agencies, collaborate to serve high-risk young adolescents. The model features a services integration strategy that promotes joint planning and which results in a closely coordinated response by schools, social services, and…