Delinquency in Society

This systematic introduction to juvenile delinquency and criminal behavior provides a comprehensive examination of why youths commit crimes, exploring everything from foundational theories to the crucial social contexts of family, school environments, and peer group dynamics. The thoroughly updated eighth edition delivers current analysis of status offending youths and institutional frameworks, presenting a complete picture of delinquency's causes and manifestations in modern society.

What distinguishes this text is its careful reorganization of complex criminological concepts into an accessible format that remains academically rigorous, making it particularly valuable for criminal justice students and social science scholars. The book's strength lies in connecting historical perspectives with contemporary trends, offering readers not just theoretical knowledge but practical understanding of how delinquency operates within real-world systems. Anyone seeking to understand the full scope of youth crime—from causal factors to societal responses—will find this an indispensable resource for grasping the complexities of juvenile justice.