The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act authorizes funds under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 for community-based centers that serve the shelter needs of runaway or homeless youths. To examine the effectiveness of the programs and the characteristics of program participants, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) visited 17…

A national conference held in Wahsington D. C. on violence in the schools is discussed with causes for the violence and possible solutions for the increasing problem examined. (LH)

In an effort to seek theoretical clarification, a modified version of Rokeach's typology of belief systems is used to examine the evidence for a gap between generations on different levels of beliefs. It appears that writers who have argued that a counterculture is emergin among the younger generation are concentrating on the value orientation…

A survey of adolescent novels dealing with sex and pregnancy. (PF)

This networking guide is intended to encourage public agencies and the private sector throughout Maryland to share information, concerns, and strategies with one another regarding teenage pregnancy and parenting. The first section, a summary of local-level activities regarding teenage pregnancy and parenting, emphasizes efforts undertaken in…

The detention of juveniles in adult jails and lockups has long been a moral issue characterized by sporadic public concern and minimal action towards its resolution. Approximately 500,000 or more juveniles are held in jails each year. Rationales for keeping children in jails have included public safety, protection of children from themselves or…

This essay explores problems and burdens of adolescents in modern society and probes strategies and actions that offer reasonable chances of diminishing developmental casualties during the adolescent period. Discussion first focuses on several historically recent changes that have affected adolescents, including the lengthening period of…

This paper presents a broad overview of information about delinquency, crime, and school discipline and violence in relation to U.S. youths. Part 1 compares U.S. and West Germany's crime rates for 1980-1985, while part 2 focuses on U.S. juvenile crime facts and on the contribution of the increasing number of U.S. family breakdowns to juvenile…

A total of 1,040 publicly operated state and local juvenile detention, correction, and shelter facilities held 49,322 juvenile residents on February 1, 1985, an increase of 1% from the previous year. About 93% of the juveniles were accused of, or had been convicted for, acts which would be criminal offenses if committed by adults. Most of the rest…

Pregnancies, abortions, and births to unmarried women occur frequently in the United States; these are of particular concern when they occur to teenagers. This study examined the effects of age on the decision to have an abortion for teenagers (N=256) at a clinic serving a predominantly white clientele from several mid-size cities and the…

This document is a 10-year statistical summary (1976-1985) of young criminal offenders in the state of California's Youth Authority Program. The effect of Youth Authority policy and legislative influences on Youth Authority population are discussed. A brief textual summary of the changes in this 10-year period includes the following findings: (1)…

This document provides information on two pieces of legislation which affect children and adolescents in Canada. The introduction to "A Guide to the Young Offenders Act in Alberta" briefly reviews the development of the Young Offenders Act and examines the definition of a young person, offenses covered by the act, and amendments to the…

The transition from the structure of prison life to the freedom of the community is considered an uncertain, confusing, and stressful period which often results in renewed criminal behavior. To explore the experiences and needs of juvenile offenders, 27 youths recently released from secure detention to the community completed the Needs Evaluation…

North Carolina's Community-Based Alternatives (CBA) program serves more than 44,000 youths each year. To obtain local criminal officials' and juvenile justice program practitioners' reactions concerning the operation of the CBA, information was gathered from 107 questionnaires completed by local social service, school, and juvenile court…

A summary of the studies and seminars conducted on "Youth in Latin America" by the Organization of American States between 1971 and 1973. The characteristics of the youth population are discussed with respect to cultural and educational matters and participation in the labor market and social and political affairs. (EH)