Juvenile delinquency is, in effect, many things. It can be thought of as a young kid going out on a summer night and tipping a cow. Or, on the more serious side, a group of teenagers going out and getting wasted, selling drugs, or at its worst, murdering someone else. Usually, however, most juvenile crimes involve property offenses (crimes not directed toward a person). Unfortunately, there has been a growing trend of violent crimes among juveniles.

Juvenile delinquency has become a rising social problem through out the United States. Since 1983 juvenile delinquency has risen by an overall staggering forty-seven percent. The increase in juvenile crime has not been evenly distributed. Property crimes and status offenses have decreased, while the violent crime index has more than doubled. Drug offenses have seen a large increase as well. In 1997 law enforcement agencies made nearly three million arrests of people under the age of eighteen. Although juveniles only account for eight percent of the population they account for one third of al

There is a difference between first time, juveniles who commit less serious crimes and chronic offenders; they should be treated as such. While in most cases the separate juvenile courts and the philosophy that juveniles and adults should be treated differently is useful, one must take into account the nature of the crime. In extreme cases of violent crimes and/or chronic serious offenses, perhaps it would be more effective to make them more accountable then the juvenile courts have a tendency to do. States may consider removing these particular offenders from the juvenile system. Or another solution may be to have states create a wider range of punishments with in the juvenile court systems for violent offenders.

Some researchers consider child socialization and upbringing exclusively

The lack of family supports likely contributes to chronic irritability, hopelessness, and pessimism. When faced with obstacles or unmet needs, most delinquent youths fail to seek rational solutions, preferring to resolve difficulties through illegal behavior or physical aggression. However, behind the mask of pretension, self-indulgence, lying, and cruelty lay an insecure, apprehensive, and fearful adolescent.

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Approximate Word count = 2836
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)