Sociological Theories of Juvenile Crime & Justice

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.