Juvenile Delinquency - Exam Questions
and Answers (Latest Update 2026)
Chapter 1 - Childhood and Delinquency -
Key Terms, Concepts, & Checkpoints
ego identity -
correct answer ✅According to Erik Erikson, ego identity is formed
when persons develop a firm sense of who they are and what they
stand for.
role diffusion -
correct answer ✅According to Erik Erikson, role diffusion occurs
when youths spread themselves too thin, experience personal
uncertainty, and place themselves at the mercy of leaders who
promise to give them a sense of identity they cannot develop for
themselves.
at-risk youths -
correct answer ✅Young people who are extremely vulnerable to
the negative consequences of school failure, substance abuse, and
early sexuality.
LO1 - Be familiar with the risks faced by youth in American culture. -
correct answer ✅- The problems of American youth have become
a national concern and an important subject of academic study.
,Juvenile Delinquency - Exam Questions
and Answers (Latest Update 2026)
- There are more than 75 million youths in the United States, and
the number is expected to rise.
- American youth are under a great deal of stress. They face
poverty, family problems, urban decay, inadequate education, teen
pregnancy, and social conflict.
- Kids take risks that get them in trouble.
juvenile delinquency -
correct answer ✅Participation in illegal behavior by a minor who
falls under a statutory age limit.
chronic juvenile offenders -
correct answer ✅Also known as chronic delinquent offenders,
chronic delinquents, or chronic recidivists;
Youths who have been arrested four or more times during their
minority and perpetuate a striking majority of serious criminal acts.
This small group, known as the "chronic 6 percent," is believed to
engage in a significant portion of all delinquent behavior; these
,Juvenile Delinquency - Exam Questions
and Answers (Latest Update 2026)
youths do not age out of crime but continue their criminal behavior
into adulthood.
juvenile justice system -
correct answer ✅The segment of the justice system, including law
enforcement officers, the courts, and correctional agencies, that is
designed to treat youthful offenders.
paternalistic family -
correct answer ✅A family style wherein the father is the final
authority on all family matters and exercises complete control over
his wife and children.
Poor Laws -
correct answer ✅English statutes that allowed the courts to
appoint overseers for destitute and neglected children, allowing
placement of these children as servants in the homes of the
affluent.
chancery courts -
correct answer ✅Court proceedings created in fifteenth-century
England to oversee the lives of highborn minors who were
orphaned or otherwise could not care for themselves.
, Juvenile Delinquency - Exam Questions
and Answers (Latest Update 2026)
parens patriae -
correct answer ✅The power of the state to act on behalf of the
child and provide care and protection equivalent to that of a
parent.
LO2 - Develop an understanding of the history of childhood. -
correct answer ✅- The concept of a separate status of childhood
has developed slowly over the centuries.
- Early family life was controlled by parents. Punishment was severe
and children were expected to take on adult roles early in their
lives.
- With the start of the seventeenth century came greater
recognition of the needs of children. In Great Britain, the chancery
court movement, the Poor Laws, and apprenticeship programs
greatly affected the lives of children.
- In colonial America, many of the characteristics of English family
living were adopted.
and Answers (Latest Update 2026)
Chapter 1 - Childhood and Delinquency -
Key Terms, Concepts, & Checkpoints
ego identity -
correct answer ✅According to Erik Erikson, ego identity is formed
when persons develop a firm sense of who they are and what they
stand for.
role diffusion -
correct answer ✅According to Erik Erikson, role diffusion occurs
when youths spread themselves too thin, experience personal
uncertainty, and place themselves at the mercy of leaders who
promise to give them a sense of identity they cannot develop for
themselves.
at-risk youths -
correct answer ✅Young people who are extremely vulnerable to
the negative consequences of school failure, substance abuse, and
early sexuality.
LO1 - Be familiar with the risks faced by youth in American culture. -
correct answer ✅- The problems of American youth have become
a national concern and an important subject of academic study.
,Juvenile Delinquency - Exam Questions
and Answers (Latest Update 2026)
- There are more than 75 million youths in the United States, and
the number is expected to rise.
- American youth are under a great deal of stress. They face
poverty, family problems, urban decay, inadequate education, teen
pregnancy, and social conflict.
- Kids take risks that get them in trouble.
juvenile delinquency -
correct answer ✅Participation in illegal behavior by a minor who
falls under a statutory age limit.
chronic juvenile offenders -
correct answer ✅Also known as chronic delinquent offenders,
chronic delinquents, or chronic recidivists;
Youths who have been arrested four or more times during their
minority and perpetuate a striking majority of serious criminal acts.
This small group, known as the "chronic 6 percent," is believed to
engage in a significant portion of all delinquent behavior; these
,Juvenile Delinquency - Exam Questions
and Answers (Latest Update 2026)
youths do not age out of crime but continue their criminal behavior
into adulthood.
juvenile justice system -
correct answer ✅The segment of the justice system, including law
enforcement officers, the courts, and correctional agencies, that is
designed to treat youthful offenders.
paternalistic family -
correct answer ✅A family style wherein the father is the final
authority on all family matters and exercises complete control over
his wife and children.
Poor Laws -
correct answer ✅English statutes that allowed the courts to
appoint overseers for destitute and neglected children, allowing
placement of these children as servants in the homes of the
affluent.
chancery courts -
correct answer ✅Court proceedings created in fifteenth-century
England to oversee the lives of highborn minors who were
orphaned or otherwise could not care for themselves.
, Juvenile Delinquency - Exam Questions
and Answers (Latest Update 2026)
parens patriae -
correct answer ✅The power of the state to act on behalf of the
child and provide care and protection equivalent to that of a
parent.
LO2 - Develop an understanding of the history of childhood. -
correct answer ✅- The concept of a separate status of childhood
has developed slowly over the centuries.
- Early family life was controlled by parents. Punishment was severe
and children were expected to take on adult roles early in their
lives.
- With the start of the seventeenth century came greater
recognition of the needs of children. In Great Britain, the chancery
court movement, the Poor Laws, and apprenticeship programs
greatly affected the lives of children.
- In colonial America, many of the characteristics of English family
living were adopted.
