Delinquency Prevention: The Size of the Problem

Abstract

The extent and nature of that ill-defined com plex, juvenile delinquency, defy precise definition. Never theless, existing evidence indicates that delinquent behavior known to official agencies has increased in recent years, both absolutely and proportionally. Moreover, there is evidence that a great amount of law-violation among juveniles goes un detected. Because of the size and importance of the juvenile delinquency problem, its tremendous cost in dollars and in human wastage, and the prospect that it will increase still further, much more must be learned about its prevention, treatment, and basic causes. More and better research is needed to test hypotheses concerning causal factors, to evalu ate current programs of prevention and treatment, and to try out and evaluate new methods. Research priorities must be carefully assessed and the finding of basic facts must be im proved. We will then have an adequate base line for evalu ating the problem and an adequate picture of the extent to which our treatment facilities are now applying what we do know.