Education, Socioeconomic Status and Social Dilemmas: Three Criminal Theories

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Recommended: Effects of socioeconomic status on juvenile delinquency

Purposes: This study intends to use the perspective of three criminal theories: Social disorganization, Differential association and labeling theory to understand and eventually address the issues surrounding education, socioeconomic status and social dilemmas in respect to incarceration amongst juveniles. Specifically, the study intends to answer the following research questions: Does education, socioeconomic status and social dilemmas affect incarceration among Juveniles in America? How can education, socioeconomic status and social problems decrease the rate of incarceration among Juveniles in America? What are some environmental factors that predetermine criminal outcome amongst juveniles? Many questions, theories and researcher are generated in order to tackle an issue of this magnitude. The raw data that one uses to conceptualize may prevent a strong conviction when presenting this type of data amongst a broad spectrum. The intentions of ones study should solely focus on the prevention process rather than just presenting factual material to its audience. Stereotypes, pigeonholes and over-generalizations should be address. Misrepresentation amongst the minority group tends to produce a more compelling statistic. "Adult offenders often begin their criminal careers as children with little hope and little help" (Comey, 2005, p. 12) This research will try and find pre-indicators that will help solve the juvenile delinquency rate.

Nature of the problem:

Do education, economic status and social problems affect incarceration among Juveniles in America? Winters (1997) stated that, "Crime statistics indicate that levels of academic achievement, school attendance and graduation rates play an important r...

... middle of paper ...

...on Pipeline'; Poor Schools, Summer-Jobs Decline Lead to Drugs Crimes. (2009, June 10). The Washington Times (Washington, DC), p. A17. Retrieved April 26, 2011, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5031386194

Spence, Ralph B. (1950). Impact of education on juvenile delinquency. Journal of Educational Sociology, 24 pp. 3-9 (1), Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/pss/2263979

United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (The Riyadh Guidelines), adopted

and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 45/112 of 14 December 1990, available at

http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/h_comp47.htm.

Winters, C. A. (1997). Learning Disabilities, Crime Delinquency, and Special Education Placement. Adolescence, 32(126), 451+. Retrieved January 30, 2011, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000465057

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