N THE U.S.
Research has provided information regarding violent juvenile crime in the U.S. Prevalence has increased and solutions to this problem continue to be sought. Risk factors have been identified and include individual, relationship, situational, and community aspects. Prevention efforts have included legislation and incarceration, however results of these solutions are inconclusive (MacLellan, 2000). Causes and treatment of the problem tend to be researched from different theoretical orientations. Theories conflict, making a comprehensive understanding of the problem with possible resolution, more difficult. A contemporary view of the study of juvenile criminal behavior includes an integrated approach (Lopez & Emmer, 2000). This theoretical frame of reference will be used to guide the present analysis of existing literature.
The literature has provided an extensive overview regarding youth and violent crime. A historic look at adolescent crime shows that murders committed by teens between the ages 14 and 17, increased 165% between 1985 and 1995. This number was feared to double by the year 2010. Drugs were blamed as were gangs and guns. Juvenile homicides are usually committed with handguns (90%). Childhood abuse was also thought to be a factor. Initial solutions to the problem included incarceration of the juvenile, however effectiveness and cost benefits of this solution have not yet been determined (Crispell, 1997, p. 42).
From the 1980s to 1994, juvenile crime in the U.S. was on the rise. In 1995, 147,700 indexed juvenile violent crimes were committed which was a 67% increase compared to 1986. Juveniles are more likely than adults to be both the perpetrator and the victim of a crime. When juvenile crime was at its peak in 1994, 16% of all homicides involved a juvenile. Regarding total crime, prior to 1987, homicide offenders were equally black and white; by 1994, 61% of juvenile homicide offenders...