Author Question: Explain the developmental approach to explaining delinquency and criminal behavior. What will be ... (Read 76 times)

Sportsfan2111 · **on:** Aug 23, 2018

Explain the developmental approach to explaining delinquency and criminal behavior.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What do you think juvenile courts will be like in 20 or 30 years? Will they become more like adult courts, or will they retain significant differences?

What will be an ideal response?

jamesnevil303 · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

This approach examines the changes and influences across a person's lifetime that may contribute to the formation of antisocial and criminal behavior. These are usually called risk factors. Examples are poor nutrition, the loss of a parent, early school failure, or substandard housing. However, the developmental approach also searches for protective factors, or influences that provide individuals with a buffer against the risk factors. A caring adult mentor and good social skills are examples of protective factors. If we are able to identify those changes and influences that occur across the developmental pathways of life that divert a person from becoming caring, sensitive, and prosocial, as well as those that steer a person away from a life of persistent and serious antisocial behavior, we gain invaluable information about how to prevent and change delinquent and criminal behavior.

Answer to Question 2

Recent changes to the juvenile court system include increased sanctions, more accountability, and less privacy. These changes reflect more similarities to that of the adult system and are a departure from the juvenile's philosophy of being non-punitive and rehabilitative.

However, the adult system is currently making changes in the development of specialized courts, which tend to reflect more of the original intent of juvenile courts. That is, specialized adult courts are trying to be problem-solving-oriented and less of a processing system. This change in the adult system could in turn re-influence the juvenile system to return to the original intentions.