Sociological Theories of Juvenile Crime & Justice

This presentation discusses the sociological theories of juvenile crime and justice. It covers strain theory, labeling theory, rational choice theory, social control theory, and social disorganization theory. The presentation provides an overview of each theory, their research findings, and their implications for understanding and addressing juvenile offending. References are also included for further reading.

SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF
JUVENILE CRIME & JUSTICE

DEFINITION OF JUVENILE OFFENDING &
EXAMPLE
A child/youth who has committed an unlawful act, such
acts if committed by an adult would be considered a crime
Males; under 16 years of age
Female: under 18 years of age
EXAMPLE: A 13 year old boy steals $100 from a
elderly woman, this would be considered theft
had he been an adult.

SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF
JUVENILE OFFENDING
Strain Theory;
Labelling Theory;
Social Control Theory;
Social Disorganisational Theory.

STRAIN THEORY – RESEARCH MERTON (1938), COHEN
(1955), CLOWARD & OHLIN (1960), AGNEW (1992)
• First coined Merton (1938) – Focuses on the gap
between cultural goals (material, wealth,
status) and structural means to achieve these
(education & employment).
• Cohen (1955) & Cloward & Ohlin (1960)
research focused on exploration of gangs and
how those juveniles That those experiencing
similar strains would band together, forming
subcultures and gangs.
• Agnew (1992) –General Strain Theory refers to
events and conditions disliked by Strain, caused
when juveniles lose something good , receive
something bad, or cannot get what they want.
Including new research now on Pain-avoidance.

LABELING THEORY – RESEARCH
BECKER (1963)
Attachment of
negative label –
MASTER effect!
Label attached
by
society, courts &
justice system
Primary
identification:
I no longer identifies
with, brother,
sister…ect
I am what you label
me!
A Juvenile
Offender
Acceptance
of the label:
I am how you
perceive me.
Self-fulfilment
prophecy-
Is the label valid or not!
Actions are according to
the label.
Based on actions, society
accepts label as being
TRUE!

LABELING THEORY; PRIMARY & SECONDARY DEVIANCE
EDWIN LEMERT (1951)
Primary Deviance
 The act that is yet to be labelled as deviant;
 Why ask for factors of primary deviance; criminals do not see themselves as
individuals who are part of a deviant life.
Secondary Deviance
 Being labelled by society;
 If caught, society will attach the label to the criminal;
 Usually stigmatised;
 Label is the primary status.

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY RESEARCH-
CORNISH & CLARKE (1986)
• The individual has the choice to act ‘rationally’
• Weighs up the benefits against the
disadvantages and make a choice as to whether
to commit a crime.
• The system has imposes increased weight on the
penalty, as well as increasing the probability of
detection through strategies such as situational
deterrence.
• Situational deterrence includes increases in
surveillance, using cameras and crime prevention
programs as well as the removal of temptations
eg. hiding expensive items from sight.

SOCIAL CONTROL THEORY RESEARCH –
HIRSCHI (1969)
• The most frequently used and tested juvenile justice theory,
• Does not focus on deviance but conformity,
• Provides a solution or strategy, for combatting deviance and juvenile behaviour.
• 4 key areas; attachment, commitment; involvement and belief.
• Strong bonds and relationships (attachments) lead to stronger conformity,
• The more individual was involved in their community and committed to societal
institutions, the less time they had to engage in non-conforming activities.

SOCIAL DISORGANISATION THEORY –
RESEARCH SHAW & MCKAY (1942).
• Looking at the demographics of residential locations within Chicago;
• Breakdown of conventional institutions;
• Social control weakened, through the influx of migrants and a transient
population, that struggled to integrate within the society;
• Competing cultural traditions lead to an influx of disharmony and
breakdown of the traditional social structures;
• Socioeconomic disadvantage, a key element leading to poor health, poor
housing and an increase in criminal activity as a result.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE THEORY – 3 CATEGORIES
• Retributive – Criminal behaviour result of
‘rational’ choice.
• Rehabilitative – Crime a result of social
context.
• Reparative – Crime a result and cause of
community strain.

REFERENCES
• Braithwaite, J. , 1989. Juvenile offending new theory and practice Braithwaite, J.
https://aic.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/proceedings/downloads/22-braithwa.pdf
• Cunneen, C., White, R. & Richards, K. (2015) Juvenile Justice: Youth & Crime in Australia 5th Edition, Oxford
University Press, Australia & New Zealand.
• DeFosset, A.R., Schooley, T.S., Abrams, L.S., Kuo, T. Gase, L.N., 2017. Describing theoretical underpinnings in
juvenile justice diversion: A case study explicating teen court program theory to guide research and practice.
Children & Youth Services Review, Vol 73 p.419-429.
• Froggio, G., 2007. Strain and Juvenile Delinquency: A Critical Review of Agnew's General Strain Theory, Journal of
Loss and Trauma, 12:4, 383-418, DOI: 10.1080/15325020701249363
• Macionis, J and Plummer, K. (2005). Sociology a global introduction, Pearson education limited.
• Vogel, M. Messner, S., 2012. Social correlates of delinquency for youth in need of mental health services;
examining the scope conditions of criminological theories; Justice Quarterly, Vol 29 (4) p.546-572.