This article focuses on the persistent juvenile offender. A multidisciplinary theory is offered to explain his criminal behavior.
This theory starts from the assumption that in the case of the chronic juvenile delinquent we are dealing with afailing socialization process.
Factors influencing the outcome of this socialization process are discussed and analyzedfrom a developmentalperspective.
Working hypotheses are presented to help understand why some developments may lead to behavioral problems such as criminal activities, while in other cases internalization ofproblems can be observed.
This article is an attempt at integration of existing theories concerning the persistent juvenile offender.
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