SOC355H1 Chapter Notes -Juvenile Delinquency, Joiner
Document Summary
Data from national survey of youth are used to examine delinquent groups. Focuses on attention to identity and role of instigators in those groups. Offenders often belong to multiple groups and therefore have larger network of pool of accomplices. Groups appear to be more specialized than individuals suggests offense specialization is primary source of group differentiation. Most groups tend to have an identifiable instigator who tends to be older, more experienced, and emotionally close to other members. Males more likely to follow other males, as well as women. As a rule, offenders do not consistently assume role of instigator or joiner over time, but instead switch from one role to the other. Roles that offenders adopt are not determined by a stable individual trait, but by situational interaction of group and individual characteristics. Shaw and mckay found more than 80% of juveniles appearing before the chicago juvenile court had accomplices.
