The state legislature recognizes the need to focus efforts and resources on young offenders so that they do not continue to commit delinquent acts and perhaps transition to adult criminals, which would cost taxpayers even more. Acting as a state policy analyst and building on the annotated bibliography and literature review you have completed, propose 2 policy alternatives to combat juvenile delinquency.
As you consider how to advise the legislature on how to address juvenile delinquency in your state, you must rely on factual information and utilize a theoretical foundation. Delinquency, as well as other deviance, results from a variety of factors explained through various theoretical perspectives. One or more theories may draw your attention as instructive about the issues surrounding juvenile delinquency. Have these theories been supported by research?
Assignment Guidelines
You are a policy analyst in the legislative affairs office of your state legislature. The criminal justice committee of the legislature has requested recommendations about how to address juvenile delinquency in the state. You must conduct research and assemble 2 possible policy initiatives in your proposal. Use the 7 step process outlined in the MUSE link, CHDS Policy Options Analysis. Include the 7 steps in your proposal.
The discussion assignment for this week includes a review of the Key Assignment Outline completed by one of your classmates, as well as a substantial response to at least one other student.
Primary Task Response: Your first task is to post your own Key Assignment Outline to the discussion area so that other students are able to review your plan. Use the 7 step process outlined in the MUSE link CHDS Policy Options Analysis. Include the 7 steps in your Outline. Attach your document to the main discussion post, and include a 2-3 sentence description of each major section and several proposed references. The purpose of this assignment is to help improve the quality of the Key Assignment Draft you will complete next week.
Define the Problem
Construct Alternative Solutions
Criteria for Judging Success of Proposed Solutions
Projected outcomes for alternative Solutions
Analyze Trade-Offs for Solutions
Choose Best Solutions
Explain Recommendations.
Juvenile Delinquency: Annotated Bibliography
Agnew, R. (2001). Building on the foundation of general strain theory: Specifying the types of strain most likely to lead to crime and delinquency. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 38(4), 319-361.
In this research, Agnew (2001) expounds on the role of environmental stressors experienced by young people as contributors to cases of juvenile delinquency. Using different studies that focus on the general strain theory, the researcher highlights the importance of addressing suchstressors as apermanent solution to juvenile delinquency. Ultimately, the research will play a critical role in understanding the causative factors that could lead children into engaging in crime. Basing the study on different perspectives of other scholars who have delved into the subject makes the study all the more authoritative.
Carney, M. M., & Buttell, F. (2003). Reducing juvenile recidivism: Evaluating the wraparound services model. Research on Social Work Practice, 13(5), 551-568.
Using an analysis of cases involving juvenile offenders and the consequent activities in which the individuals engaged following their court proceedings, the researchers herein determined the effectiveness of wraparound services intended to address cases of delinquency in the society. The primary strength of the research lies in the organization of the study, in which case the audience can easily relate and understand the conclusions drawn in the research. Ultimately, the scholars determine that there was need for an improvement in the quality of services related to follow up of cases involving juvenile delinquency, to effectively aid in addressing the factors that lead to their delinquent behavior.
Cullen, F. T., Unnever, J. D., Hartman, J. L., Turner, M. G., & Agnew, R. (2008). Gender, bullying victimization, and juvenile delinquency: A test of general strain theory. Victims and Offenders, 3(4), 346-364.
In this case, the scholars use primary data to determine the impact of stressors within a childs school environment on his or her chances of engaging in delinquent behavior. In particular, the use of firsthand information from children in middle school increases the reliability of the study since they are directly affected by the issue, with their sentiments related to the general strain theory influencing the conclusions of the study. Ultimately, the research commands significant authority when used in exemplifying some of the theories on juvenile delinquency with a particular focus on the impact of bullying and the chances of juvenile drug use.
Fagan, A. A. (2013). Family-focused interventions to prevent juvenile delinquency: A case where science and policy can find common ground. Criminology & Public Policy, 12(4), 617-650.
Fagan (2013) builds on the research on the importance of a wraparound approach in providing solutions to juvenile delinquency. In particular, the research is based on the argument that having an ideal social support environment would effectively increase the chances of socially acceptable behavior, in contrast to the stress factors that contribute to the general strain theory. The study extensively employs theoretical views from other studies, which increases its appeal in influencing the subject, primarily due to the congruence between the research and the issues highlighted by previous scholars with interest in the topic. Ultimately, the study forms an ideal source of information for any research on juvenile delinquency.
Icli, T. G., & Çoban, S. (2012). A study on the effects of family and delinquent peers on juvenile delinquency in Turkey.Advances in Applied Sociology, 2(01), 66-72.
Based on responses from more than 1500 responses from juveniles in Turkey, the research herein confirms the importance of family in addressing issues experienced by juveniles, leading to engagement in delinquent behavior. The studys use of firsthand information from individuals likely to be victims of delinquent behavior makes it especially effective in the study of delinquent activities in which young people in the contemporary society engage. Ultimately, the research expounds on the importance of using wraparound approaches in dealing with the issue as it highlights the important role played by the household in influencing juvenile delinquency.
Katsiyannis, A., Ryan, J. B., Zhang, D., & Spann, A. (2008).Juvenile delinquency and recidivism: The impact of academic achievement. Reading & Writing Quarterly, 24(2), 177-196.
The school forms one of the primary epicenters of juvenile delinquency, in which case children could be influenced into positive or delinquent behavior. Consequently, the researchers herein delve into the possibility of a relationship between academic performance and engagement in delinquent behavior. Notably, the strength of this study lies in the content of the analysis.As long as there are policy solutions to address issues experienced by learners and influence the improvement of their academic performance to the extent of addressing the issues leading to a reduced chance of the young people engaging in crime.
Patacchini, E., & Zenou, Y. (2009).Juvenile delinquency and conformism.The Journal of Law, Economics, & Organization, 28(1), 1-31.
Despite the extensive efforts to reduce social stressors contributing to the general strain theory, it would be important to understand the role of social influence and conformity on juveniles. In this research, the scholars delve into determining the impacts of a quest to conform to the existing behavior in relation to the larger social group networks. As long as teenagers wish to conform to the practices of their ideal peers, they could engage in potentially dangerous behavior which could at times include delinquent activities. Therefore, the research makes a good source of information on some of the social influences that lead to engagement in delinquent behavior.
Ryan, J. P., Marshall, J. M., Herz, D., & Hernandez, P. M. (2008). Juvenile delinquency in child welfare: Investigating group home effects. Children and Youth Services Review, 30(9), 1088-1099.
Addressing the role of the child growth and development, the research herein determined that children who grow up in group homes are twice more likely to engage in delinquent behavior has on children who grow up in fosterhomes. The specific focus of the research on the child growth and development in different home environments helps assert the importance of children having a supportive environment, and the potential impact of stressors on the said childs growth and development. Ultimately, the research delves deeper into the impacts of an environment on a juveniles behavior.
Example of the 7 steps
Creating your new Juvenile Justice Public Policy
Unit 4 Discussion Board 7 step by step See MUSE
The discussion assignment for this week includes a review of the Key Assignment Outline completed by one of your classmates, as well as a substantial response to at least one other student.
Primary Task Response: Your first task is to post your own Key Assignment Outline to the discussion area so that other students are able to review your plan. Use the 7 step process outlined in the MUSE link CHDS Policy Options Analysis. Include the 7 steps in your Outline. Attach your document to the main discussion post, and include a 2-3 sentence description of each major section and several proposed references. The purpose of this assignment is to help improve the quality of the Key Assignment Draft you will complete next week. Define the Problem
Construct Alternative Solutions
Criteria for Judging Success of Proposed Solutions
Projected outcomes for alternative Solutions
Analyze Trade-Offs for Solutions
Choose Best Solutions
Explain Recommendations.
When replying to other students make sure and give both constructive and positive feedback for full credit
7 step M.U.S.E.
1. DEFINE THE PROBLEM
2. CONSTRUCT ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS TO THE
PROBLEM
3. CRITERIA FOR JUDGING SUCCESS
4. OUTCOMES EXPECTED FROM ALT. SOLUTIONS
5. ANALYZE TRADE-OFFs
6. CHOOSE THE BEST SOLUTION
7. EXPLAIN RECOMMENDATION
DEFINE THE PROBLEM
Assumptions
Metrics
Causation
Environment socio-
political context
Construct TWO Alternative Solutions
Provide Two options
Who are the stakeholders?
What is expected?
How Much will it cost?
Criteria Judging Success of BOTH options
Criteria
Ranking the criteria 9 criteria; Effectiveness
Legal
Political acceptability Externalities Efficiency
Equity
Implementation Metrics for success Motherhood
Students are to provide an Outcome Matrix for BOTH solutions see MUSE
Analyze Trade Offs
Please compare and contrast the two options.
Analyze the pros and cons.
Pick Best Solution and Why
Step 6 Pick Best Solution
Step 7 Elaborate on why it is the best solution
Assume the person who disagrees with you, is listening.
Highlight remaining questions and issues
400-600 words
