Juvenile Delinquency

Criminal justice research papers on juvenile delinquency often look at the causes of juvenile delinquency in society. Paper Masters shows you how to formulate a research paper on this complex topic. Use the information on this web page or have Paper Masters custom write a project for you.

The long and short-range effects of juvenile delinquency, a scourge of modern western society, have long been known. However, the causes of juvenile delinquency are not so visible. There are many factors to blame that vary with each juvenile delinquent. In making a concise study of the causes of juvenile delinquency, one might first seek to divide the topic into the nature versus nurture argument. On one hand, there are causes for delinquency that are attributable to biological factors inherent at birth. On the other hand, the delinquent's natural, physical, and social environment also contribute to delinquent behavior. When writing a report on juvenile delinquency, you will need to look at both the natural and biologically inherent factors that have been found to contribute to juvenile delinquency.

Topics to Cover on Juvenile Delinquency

History and Relevance: Over the course of the last several decades, the US legal system has vacillated on its policy for sentencing juvenile delinquents. The potential psychological impact of this trend has also been debated at length in the psychological literature.

Existing Research Findings: There is a great deal of contention over this matter in the scholarly literature. A number of recent studies have associated juvenile sentences to adult facilities with both higher recidivism rates and greater risk of assault during incarceration. However, public opinion surveys show continued broad support for this practice.

Areas of Controversy: Controversy surrounds virtually every aspect of this research question.

1. The debate reflects a deeper ideological division between those who view the purpose of incarceration to be punishment, and those who regard the purpose of incarceration to the rehabilitation.
2. Questions regarding the ontological culpability of and guilt-consciousness of juvenile defenders are also controversial.
3. The concerns of legal and psychological professionals and the overriding public support for the practice of sentencing juvenile offenders to adult correctional facilities.

How to Write on Juvenile Delinquency

Critique and Analysis of Existing Material: There exists a vast body of scholarly literature on this subject. However, much of it is compartmentalized, with a specific focus on a single element of the research question. As such, few individual studies have played an important role in influencing policy decisions on the issue of juvenile offenders being sentenced to adult facilities. Comparatively few studies have adopted the kind of comprehensive approach that will be employed in the analysis and synthesis that will be offered in the proposed study.

Original Ideas or Interpretations Concerning Applications or Issues: Public opinion in favor of sentencing juvenile delinquents to adult correctional facilities has been strong for several decades. Traditionally, emotional appeals to notorious cases have played a central role in fomenting political support for this issue. In the proposed study, an evidence-based approach will be developed that attempts to guide the issue back to a rational assessment of its efficacy and impacts.

Suggestions for areas of further research or practice in this forensic area: Because of the pressing significance of this issue and the unique developmental vulnerability of juvenile offenders, the proposed study will focus extensively upon suggestions for policy makers and practitioners seeking to make choices and strategic action plans for sentencing guidelines and proper management of adult, juvenile, and mixed-age correctional facilities.