Juvenile vs Adult Offender tx Approaches
In a rural suburb of a major Southern city, two children—12 and 10 years old—are playing. Both are pretending to be their favorite video game characters and are deeply engaged in their playtime adventures. The 12-year-old carries out the “moves” he saw in the video game on the 10-year-old, causing the younger child to fall to the ground. Three days later, the injured child dies from the injuries inflicted by the 12-year-old. An investigation concludes with the charging of the 12-year-old with manslaughter. The 12-year-old has a strong family relationship and his extended family is very supportive.
Compare this case with one of a 12-year-old living in a large city who is arrested by local police for selling crack cocaine. The investigation uncovers that the child has been working with a local street gang that has raised him since he was 4 years old due to his mother’s involvement with the gang.
Both of these scenarios are real circumstances that have been reported in both urban and rural locations across the United States. Individuals entering and being treated in the juvenile justice system are as diverse, as illustrated in the above examples, as the treatment options available to them. This week, you explore treatment approaches, challenges, and settings for all types of juvenile offenders as well as examine the differences between juvenile and adult treatment approaches and programs. In addition, you consider the role of the family in the treatment of juvenile offenders.
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APA Format, 407 words