This paper examines possible root causes of youth crime, and appropriate interventions to correct the problem. Articles that will be consulted include Gordon L. Spencer's (1977) work on the school's role in delinquency, David Brownfield and Kevin Thompson's (1991) work

on the role of one's peers in delinquency and Joseph H. Rankin and L. Edward Wells'

(1990) work on the role of the family in delinquent behavior. Also examined for possible interventions include Ed Earnest's (1996) report on a treatment program operating in Alabama, and Mark Steward's (1997) report on a treatment program in Missouri. The Canadian Juristats are also used to help place statistical values on youth crime, and in order to determine how great a problem youth crime actually is.

Spencer's (1977) article helps shed light on one of the major contributors to youth

delinquency and crime, namely the educational system. Often researchers will note the

tendency for youthful offenders to be failures in their communities and schools, but

Spencer's research investigates to what extent the schools themselves contribute to

delinquency. Spencer notes common trends associated with youthful offend

gang are characterized by a lack of respect and trust, and held together only by external

have been so satisfactory that Earnest believes that it should be incorporated into juvenile

levels of delinquency. This information can be useful for helping control youth crime

increases a youth's chances of delinquency, but that these ties lack respect and trust, make

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 3152
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)