A former client of the juvenile justice system argues that neither punitive attack nor passive inaction will cause delinquency to go away. Research suggests the use of early delinquency as an opportunity to alter the trajectory of a life headed toward crime. Rather than focusing on recidivism, researchers should focus on successful rehabilitation.…

Reviews familial characteristics associated with conduct disordered youth and their parents. Identifies family treatment strategies found effective with this population, including variations of parent training, problem-solving communication training, reciprocity training, and multisystemic treatment approach. Includes list of intervention…

Several controversies surround differentiation between socially maladjusted and seriously emotionally disturbed. Central to controversy is interpretation of social maladjustment as restricted to include socialized aggressive and adjudicated delinquents or broadened to include Conduct Disorders, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and antisocial…

The attraction of some teenagers to Satanic symbolism, which communicates extreme pessimism, nihilism, and hopelessness, is distressing. Focusing on the trappings of teenage pseudo-Satanism is counterproductive; we should concentrate on the root causes of teenage crime--low self-esteem and poor social conditions--and not become distracted by…

Compared homeless and nonhomeless youths who sought help at runaway shelters in eight states. Both groups reported range of personal, family, and school problems, but problems of homeless group were more chronic than those of nonhomeless group. Most homeless youths lacked stable, supportive family to which they could return. (Author/NB)

Describes community hostel for rehabilitating young offenders outside family environment. Describes way of life at community hostel, emphasizing its socio-behavioral intervention strategies. Notes close relationship between hostel, local community, and families of residents. Presents follow-up data concerning various aspects of 43 graduates'…

Considers cults as gangs, but also distinguishes cults from gangs by the cult's reference to and insistence on allegiance to single higher authority, usually spirit figure or spiritual leader. Examines Satanism, identifies Satanic holidays and symbols, and describes characteristics of cult-influenced youth. Includes list of organizations and books…

This issue's "Voices of Pioneers" segment features the work of Fritz Redl, pioneer in the art of helping distraught children and adolescents. Describes Redl's professional development and contributions. Includes writing by Redl in which he identifies four patterns of antisocial behavior which stem from different causes and thus require…

Discusses rising juvenile and youth crime in China, highlighting the essence of Chinese Marxist criminological thought and changing conceptions of delinquency from the postrevolutionary period to the present; examining official responses to delinquency and the recent development of juvenile justice; and suggesting that current delinquency control…

Uses data concerning all young sex offenders (N=56) to construct and validate an introductory young sex offender typology based solely on offense characteristics. A 5-cluster solution received optimal support from cluster analysis of 15 offense-related variables. Survival analysis revealed that the clusters differed with respect to sexual but not…

Article contains excerpts of remarks made by a family court judge in Michigan upon sentencing a 13-year-old male for a murder he committed at age 11. Testimonies state that the adult prison system is not designed for youth, and has few treatment alternatives for them. A commitment to prevent future criminal behavior in youth will take collective…

A leader in the education of troubled children identifies issues for the future. They include: (1) recognizing emotional and behavior disorders as a disability; (2) enhancing multicultural education with knowledge about commonalties; and (3) basing practices on scientific knowledge. Proposes organizing professional practice around the Circle of…

Article challenges the prevailing political and public attitudes about locking up children who hate in juvenile facilities. Three promising reforms are discussed: information-networking systems that facilitate coordination of services among juvenile justice stakeholders; alternatives to detention programs; and Multisystemic Therapy. A…

Study focused on attitudes towards institutional authority among three groups of adolescents: nondelinquents, noninstitutionalized delinquents, and institutionalized delinquents. Relationships with self concept were also investigated. Findings indicated that attitudes towards parents, teachers, police, and the law were, in general, positive with…

This article discusses the current status of teens in society. The article reports that half of all teens have been affected by the divorce of their parents; one in five lives in poverty; and approximately one in six suffers from depression. Thirty-five percent of teenage girls get pregnant at least once before age 20. This article discusses ways…