This paper explores an often overlooked area in the analysis of juvenile justice policy — the influence of changing conceptions of adolescence. It is our view that over time juvenile delinquents have been defined as either victims (and hence, not responsible for their actions) or offenders (and hence, at least in part responsible). This shifting conceptualization has influenced juvenile justice policy. Victims are generally considered deserving of special care and protection, and, more important, treatment; but offenders are usually viewed as deserving of punishment. Therefore, it is important to examine the role of societal perceptions of adolescence over time in determining the designation of these labels, as well as the overall utility of these dichotomous characterizations. Through such an examination insight is gathered into the problems inherent within the task of formulating juvenile justice policy.
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