The Chicago Area Project—A 25-Year Assessment

Abstract

The Area Project program is based on studies of the epidemiology of delinquency and of the social experience of children growing up in city neighborhoods with high rates of delinquents. Preventive effort is concentrated in such delin quency areas. The structure of the local society is regarded as deficient in its ability to reduce the normal alienation of the male adolescent and to restore and maintain adult controls. In most instances delinquency in this situation is viewed as a product of social learning. Procedures of the Area Project are based on the assumption that young people are responsive principally to the expectations of their intimate groups: family, peers, and neighbors. The major activity of the Area Project program is the development of youth welfare organizations among residents of delinquency areas and, within the structure of these groupings, direct work with predelinquent and delin quent individuals and groups. Neighborhood groups are en couraged to employ qualified local residents to carry on the work. Variation in the procedures in the organization of local groups and in the content of their programs reflects variety in patterns of integration of local social institutions. Area Project experience indicates that residents of delinquency areas are capable of action in relation to youth welfare problems. Such action has probably reduced delinquency in the program areas.