Common Sense and Juvenile Justice in America

Abstract

Too often discussions of crime degenerate into debates about punishment versus social causes, or sociological theories versus legal minutiae. In thinking about juvenile crime especially, it is important to avoid such pointless debates and focus on the fact that juvenile crime is a complex problem that defies easy solution. There are simply no panaceas or quick and inexpensive fixes. One of the great misfortunes in dealing with this very serious problem is that many politicians approach the subject in exactly that way, as though there are easy answers. In light of this, it is very important to keep in mind that there is a definite nexus between dependent children — those who have been neglected and abused — and delinquent children. One thing that has been pointed out by such commentators as William J. Bennett and James Q. Wilson is that a good part of the problem of criminal justice is not amenable to governmental solutions. In this regard, moral values and an emphasis on family and parenting are critical to any long-term solution.