How Can The Decline In Serious Crime Since The Mid 1990’s Be Explained?

One most consider the factors and what led to this decline. Analyzing these factors can help predict future trends with crime. There are numerous factors that may have factored in the decline in juvenile crime rates.

Could the decline in juvenile crime be influenced by the improvements in the economy during the 1990’s? According to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics the percentage of children living in poverty feel sharply from 1993-2000, especially for African American children. The reduction of poverty contributes to better parenting practices and improved school performance which may lower delinquency. During the same time period, unemployment declined and gave teenagers with limited skills and education the opportunity for work. Employment is a contributor to crime reduction due to their job commitment and prevents opportunities to commit crime.

Could the decline in crime rates be contributed by improvements in police practices? More police were hired during the 1990s and a new method of policing was introduced. Community Policing made efforts to crack down on specific crimes such as, drug sells, guns, gangs, and to lower crime in locations know for higher crime rates. Community Policing is problem-oriented policing where the police attempt to address the problems that contribute to crime. In addition, other cities did not adopt Community Policing and reported a reduction in crime according to researchers.

Were more juveniles incarcerated at a higher rate in the 1990s that may have led to the decline in crime? Incarcerating juveniles prevents crime because juveniles are unable to commit crimes on the street, and their incarceration may prevent others from committing crime.

Overall, besides these factors there are numerous other factors that may have led to the decrease in crime during the 1990s. Future trends depicting an increase or decrease in crime will be determined by the economy and the current crime control strategies utilized by law enforcement, preventing delinquency, improved incarceration methods for juveniles, and effective methods to rehabilitate juvenile offenders in the United States. All these factors are important because they significantly impact the causes of delinquency.

Gender Differences In Delinquency

Males are significantly more delinquent than females. Females are more likely to be arrested as runaways. According to the 2004 UCR, female delinquents have been increasing faster than males. Between 1994 and 2004, the number of arrests of male delinquents decreased about 22%, whereas the number of female delinquents arrested increased by 12%.

What crimes are male and female delinquents arrested for? Males commit more crimes than females, but do males commit different crimes then females? Both male and female delinquents are most often arrested for minor crimes. There are some differences in the crimes which males and females are arrested. A majority of all males are arrested for serious crimes. According to the 2004 UCR, 4.7% of all males arrested are for serious violent crimes compareed to 2.6% of all female arrests. And 7.1% of all male arrests are for the serious property crimes such as, burglary and motor-vehicle theft compared to 2.7% of all females. In contrast, the majority of all female arrests are for larceny and status offenses. About 18% of all female arrests are for the status offense of running away and curfew violation versus 9% of all male arrests. Even though males are more likely to be arrested then females, the proportion of all arrests accounted for by females has been increasing over time.

Despite the statistics from the 2004 UCR what other variables may be responsible for the gender delinquency differences? The interactions of socialization, learning, and their culture are all significant factors. Males and females may behave differently due to how they were exposed to different styles of socialization, learned different values, and had different cultural experiences. If both sexes were equally exposed to those factors that produce delinquency, then their delinquency rates would be equal. In American culture, gender role is a significant factor as to why both sexes act differently.

Females are expected to be feminine and display nurturing traits such as being sympathetic and gentle. In contrast, boys are expected to be masculine and display traits of assertiveness and dominance. Females are expected to behave according to the gender role and avoid masculine behavior. Females display more self-control then males which is a factor to help explain differences in delinquency. Whereas, males learn to become masculine by their actions approved by peers such as, aggressive behavior and to avoid displaying nonmasculine traits. The aggressive factor displayed by males increase their delinquency rate. Gender role has a significant impact as to why males commit more crime then females.

Links of Interest:

1. Strain, Self-Control, and Sex Differences in Delinquency

http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/1/2/9/0/p212902_index.html

2. Gender, social bonds, and delinquency: a comparison of boys' and girls' models

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WX8-4CG2J53-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=918a9269ccd402d8534a2c7b8449a421

Adolescent Brain Development

Adolescents is a transitional period of life as child becomes an adult. During this time one endures changes of emotions, hormones, judgment, identity and the physical body which all have significant impact. How relevant is the development of the brain?

The brain changes significantly in adolescents. According to scientists research their brains are less developed then previously thought. For example, the frontal lobe undergoes the most change and is the last part of the brain to develop. The frontal lobe is the most significant development in the brain because it allows one to prioritize thoughts, imagine, abstract thinking, anticipate consequences, plan, and control impulses.

Could this help answer why teens act the way they do? The frontal lobe is responsible for organization, planning, and strategizing which is not fully developed in the brain. Would it be unfair to expect adolescents to have adult levels of organization skills, or decision making before their brain is fully developed? The underdeveloped frontal lobe causes adolescents to react with gut instinct rather than with reasoning. This continues well into adulthood until one responds in a more mature manner. Furthermore, the frontal lobe is responsible for the region of the brain that controls aggression and other impulses. If one has not fully matured prior to adulthood, then it may be unreasonable to expect a mature thought process displayed in adults.

Restrictions on adolescents limit their privileges such as, the legal age to drive, drink, vote, marry, and enter into contracts. Adolescents is a significant transitional period which they are subjected to limitations in judgment and maturity. There is a direct correlation with juvenile delinquency because one has difficulty making mature decisions and an understanding of the consequences of their actions due to an under developed frontal lobe. In contrast, this should not excuse adolescents from punishments from violent crime but it lessens their responsibility.

Links of Interest:

1. Secrets of The Teen Brain
http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101040510/

2. Adolescent Brain
http://www.sfn.org/index.cfm?pagename=brainBriefings_Adolescent_brain

3. Alcohol And Adolescent Brain Development
http://www.duke.edu/~amwhite/Adolescence/

Racial Patterns In Deliquency

According to the UCR in 2003 African American youths are arrested for disproportionate number of murders, rapes, robberies, and assaults. African American youths are more likely to be formally arrested by the police, whereas the police will treat white youths informally. African American youths who have a police record are more likely to be severely punished if they are picked up and sent back to juvenile courts. Police are not the only authorities who may contribute to racial differences in the delinquency rate. Juvenile court judges may see the offenses committed by African American youths as more serious than those committed by white offenders.

If one considers the disproportionate number of who are arrested is not due to their involvement but, the result of race-based decision making in the juvenile justice system. Institutional racism by the police and courts is an element of daily life the African American community especially juveniles.

The racial differences are in the rate of the offense, rather than bias and discrimination by agents of the justice system, which may help to explain the persistent racial disparities found in the justice system. For example, racial differences in the crime rate are tied to social and economic inequality. African Americans have suffered through a long history of discrimination that have lasting affects. In addition, low employment rates among minorities place a strain on families. Divorce and separation rates are significantly associated with crime and violence rates in the African American community.

During economic growth, lower-class African Americans are left out of the economic mainstream that may generate a sense of failure and frustration. Being shut out of the educational and economic opportunities one may be exposed to the lure of dishonest gain and criminality. In addition, African Americans receive longer sentences than whites who commit the same type of crimes especially when their unemployed or impoverished. Is it possible that judges may view unemployed or poor African Americans as more dangerous and likely to recidivate then white offenders?

One may consider the differences in the delinquency rates are bias in the justice system whereas, Police are more likely to arrest and courts are more likely to convict African American youths. I believe the differences in the rates are due to the participation of African American youths in serious criminal behavior is a result of their socioeconomic position and the racism they face.

Links Of Interest:

1. Criminal Justice System Unfair to Black Youth

http://www.chicagodefender.com/article-2037-report-criminal-justice-system-unfair-to-black-youth.html

2. Racial Disparities In Local Criminal Justice System

http://www.communityalternatives.org/articles/racial_disparities.html

3. National Council On Crime And Delinquency

http://www.nccd-crc.org/nccd/pubs/2007jan_justice_for_some.pdf

4. Unequal Opportunities For Juvenile Justice

http://www.aecf.org/upload/PublicationFiles/fact_sheet12.pdf

Effects Of Divorce On Children

Are children of divorced couples more at risk for antisocial behavior than children in intact homes? Parents whose marriages are secure produce secure and independent children. In contrast, a child living in a broken home is a strong indicator of a child’s delinquent behavior. Children who have experienced family breakup are more likely to display behavior problems and hyperactivity than children in intact families.

The effects of divorce on child are not short term but are long lasting. Family breakup is usually associated with conflict, hostility, and aggression. Furthermore, there is a clear link why children living in broken homes are more likely to become delinquent than children who lived in two parent households. Children of divorce develop lingering fears about their own ability to develop long-term relationships which, these fears often hinder their lives a few years after they divorce. Most spouses are able to reduce their emotional pain and move on with their lives a few years after they divorce; where as this is not be true of their children because their emotional distress may last for decades.

How does divorce effect boys and girls differently? Boys seem to be more affected by the post divorce absence of the father. In post divorce situations, fathers seem less likely to be around to solve problems, to discuss standards of conduct, or to enforce discipline. A divorced father who remains actively involved in the child’s life reduces his son’s chances of delinquency. In contrast, girls are more affected by the quality of their of their mother’s parenting and post divorce parental conflict. Overall, boys and girls are affected by divorce due to emotional distress and are as prone to delinquency but the major difference is the father to son and mother to daughter relationship following the divorce.

Links Of Interest:

Coping With Divorce

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/children_divorce.htm

Effects Of Divorce On Child

http://extension.unh.edu/Family/Documents/divorce.pdf

Myths Surround Child And Divorce

http://divorcesupport.about.com/od/childrenanddivorce/p/childrenmyths.htm

Correlation Between Age And Crime

http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/queensland-by-theme/society/crime-justice/regular-publications/crime-justice-stats-qld/crime-justice-stats-qld-1998-99.shtml
(Click Link For Larger View Of Graph. Figure 1.9 "Age of Sex And Offenders.")

The statistics on this graph indicates juvenile and young adult offender’s crime peaks between the ages of fifteen and nineteen in which their offending rates decline shapely. The statistics also indicate juvenile offenders are arrested disproportionately compared to the general population.

Why do individuals commit less crime as they age? Despite the variables of race, and sex social class, intelligence people commit less crime as they age. What causes the aging-out process of crime? Maturity is a key variable due to the ability to resist a quick fix to their problems. A juvenile may turn to crime as a way to solve problems of adolescence, loneliness, frustration, and fear of peer rejection. As one matures, conventional means of problem solving become available. Life experience helps former delinquents seek nondestructive solutions to their personal problems. Furthermore, maturity correlates with increased levels of responsibility. As juveniles and young adults get older, they take on new responsibilities that are inconsistent with criminality and risky behavior. For example, some people who marry, enlist in the armed services, or enroll in school or vocational training are less likely to pursue criminal activities.

In addition to maturity, what other factors help to explain the decline of crime with age? Personalities can change with age. As one matures, rebellious, and troublesome juveniles may develop increased self-control and be able to resist antisocial behavior. Furthermore, juveniles and young adults become more aware of the risks that accompany crime. They realize crime is too dangerous, physically strenuous, and unrewarding. As adults they are no longer protected by the juvenile justice system, and face harsher punishments in the adult criminal court system that may have negative long lasting effects.

Juveniles Tried In Adult Criminal Court

In the past two years in Ventura County the number of juveniles tried as an adult has increased 170%, from ten in 2006 to twenty seven in 2007. In comparison, from 2002 to 2005 only five juveniles were tried as an adult. Proposition 21 passed in 2000 gives the prosecutor discretion to determine whether juveniles fourteen and older who commit serious crimes will be tried as adults. Despite those opposed of juveniles tried as adult, across the nation the incidence of violent juvenile crime is as low as it has been since the early 1970s.

Transfers to criminal court are intended for the most serious juvenile offenders, but how effective is transferring juvenile offenders to adult court? For example, the transfer may create long-term harm. Transferred juveniles may be stigmatized due to the conviction in the criminal court. Labeling juveniles as adult offenders may seriously impair their future education, employment, and other opportunities. Juveniles convicted in criminal courts are more likely to be incarcerated and receive longer sentences than if they remained in the juvenile court. Furthermore, juveniles incarcerated with adults may become exploited physically and sexually, and develop permanent damaged. In addition, following their release, transferred juveniles have a higher recidivism rate than those kept in juvenile court.



In contrast, there are many juvenile offenders that commit crime and deserve punishment in which rehabilitation programs may not be effective with all juveniles. The transfer of juveniles to adult court is attractive to conservatives due to the get-tough policy, which is currently popular. One may argue the increased use of the transfer can help get violent offenders off the streets and should be mandatory for juveniles committing serious violent crimes. Transfers are reserved for the most serious cases and the most serious juvenile offenders. They are most likely to be transferred to criminal court if they have injured someone with a weapon or if they have a long juvenile court record.

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/feb/17/juveniles-tried-as-adults-up-170-da-cites-gang/