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Abstract
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Using information available regarding juvenile homicide, it is possible to draw several conclusions. First, a disproportionate number of juveniles who commit homicide reside in communities where the high incidence of poverty and the frequency of infant mortality indicate that life is not valued highly. Second, these juveniles are the products of violent, chaotic families. Third, kids who kill are likely to be either (1) youngsters who lack the capacity to identify with other human beings, (2) prepsychotic juveniles who kill as an expression of intense emotional conflicts, and who are also high suicide risks, or (3) neurotically fearful youngsters who kill in overreacting to a genuinely threatening situation.
VioLit summary
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this article by Sorrells was to use available information and data about what is known regarding juvenile murderers in an attempt to draw conclusions about how to treat and manage the problem.
METHODOLOGY:
This was a non-experimental exploratory study examining the available information about juvenile homicide offenders.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The author stated that available information indicates that juveniles who kill often live in a social environment where there is not a high value placed on human life. In addition, these youth frequently come from families that are violent, abusive - both emotionally and physically, and unstable. The author categorized the youth into three personality groupings. The first group was labeled "non-empathetic." These youth show a lack of identification, feeling and compassion with other human beings. The second group was "pre-psychotic." These youth were described as feeling desperate due to painful inter-personal situations and environmental factors. The third group, "neurotically fearful youth," were defined as youth who lacked security and control.
AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS:
Based on what appears to be known about juvenile murderers, the author made several suggestions. First, intervention should be guided by research and individual community planning, and in high-risk communities agencies must coordinate efforts to confront and treat complex social problems. Second, juveniles who are placed in detention or custody need to be psychologically evaluated for mental health and emotional problems. Based on the evaluation information, juveniles should be placed in correctional programs relative to their specific mental health condition. Third, juveniles should not be returned to homes that are violent. To avoid this, families of juveniles should be evaluated and monitored. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
KW - Juvenile Violence
KW - Juvenile Homicide
KW - Juvenile Offender
KW - Homicide Offender
KW - Family History
KW - Homicide Causes
KW - Violence Causes
KW - Psychological Factors
KW - Offender Characteristics
KW - Homicide Prevention
KW - Homicide Intervention
KW - Violence Prevention
KW - Violence Intervention |