Delinquency - Past and Present

Juvenile Delinquency Past and Present

Discuss how juvenile delinquency has changed over time and what elements remain the same.

Point out the similarities and differences from Jake's story and Ty's story.

Juvenile delinquency has changed a great deal since 1955, and yet there are some similarities between the past and the present. In both eras, teens hang out in gangs, or groups with like minds. This essay is about two teenage boys: Jake, a teenager in 1995, and Ty, a teenager today. Both Jake and Ty were in a gangs which engaged in criminal behavior. The gangs form a family unit which works to keep all the members strongly united. These gangs are not willing to give up a member easily. But both Ty and Jake have a deep concern for their biological families back at home. Both boys were deeply hurt when they found out how much their wrongdoings affected their families. The real difference in juvenile delinquency in 1955 and the present time is the sense of community that took responsibility for local issues back in 1955, while in the present day the government has taken responsibility for the control of delinquents.

In the past, the town came together to make decisions as to the direction that would be taken to deal with delinquency. In the present, the government gathers at the courthouse to decide on the direction that will be taken to deal with delinquency.

In the 1955, the teenagers who were innocent of any gang activity did not hesitate to come forward to defend their right to enjoy privileges they had earned. This group was not afraid to confront the gang members or the authority of the town. In the present day, no such group came forward. The gangs today are more violent.

The gangs of the past and the present both find it important to keep members from leaving their group. Once accepted as a member, an individual is considered part of the family.

Juvenile delinquency has changed a great deal since 1955, and yet there are some similarities between...