CRJ180 Discussions
Week 2
Discuss the influence of rational choice in behavior, the difference between
psychopathology and teenage angst, and which school of criminology (classical,
neoclassical, or positive) you think is the most valid and why.
Rational choice theory says that people think about the good and bad things that could happen
before they do something. This suggests that when people commit crimes, they are deciding
based on weighing the risks. This idea is very different from the way we think about mental
health problems and the struggles teenagers go through. Mental health problems are serious and
can make it hard for someone to think clearly and function well. Teenage struggles are more
about the difficult emotions and behaviors that come with growing up and dealing with stress.
When it comes to studying crime, the positive school of thought is the most reasonable. It looks at
all the different things that might make someone act in a criminal way, like the way their body
works, the way they think, and the things that happen to them in their lives. This approach
supports making customized plans to help people and trying to get them back on track, which is
in line with the way we think about solving problems in today's world.
Week 3
Summarize the story of a juvenile offender (either in the news or a juvenile known to
you) and discuss whether or not they fit the typical offender profile, the sociological
theory that best explains their situation, and how their behavior might change if a
positive label were applied.
A noteworthy case is that of Kalief Browder, a juvenile who was arrested at 16 for allegedly
stealing a backpack. He ended up spending three years in jail before they dropped the charges.
What makes his story stand out is that he wasn't a typical troublemaker. Instead, he was just a
regular kid from a tough background who got blamed for something he didn't do. His story fits
with a theory in sociology that says people start acting badly when everyone sees them that way.
If people had called him a good kid instead, maybe things would have turned out better. It could
have given him more support and help, and he might have ended up in a better place.
Week 4
Discussing the factors that distinguish between adolescence-limited offenders and life-
course persistent offenders and evaluate the value of investing in programs for the latter
group.
Adolescence-limited offenders typically engage in criminal behavior during their teenage years,
largely due to peer influence and the desire for autonomy but desist as they transition into
, adulthood and assume more stable roles in society. In contrast, life-course persistent offenders
exhibit antisocial behavior from an early age that persists into adulthood, often due to a
combination of neurological deficits, family dysfunction, and adverse environmental conditions.
Investing in programs for life-course persistent offenders is highly valuable as it addresses the
root causes of their behavior, offering long-term societal benefits. Early interventions, such as
specialized education, mental health services, and family support programs, can mitigate the
factors that contribute to persistent offending, reducing recidivism rates and the social costs
associated with long-term criminal behavior. These programs not only improve individual
outcomes but also enhance community safety and economic stability by decreasing the burden on
the criminal justice system.
Week 5
Consider a child in an abusive situation. Discuss options other than foster care or
remaining in the abusive family home, determine if the State, parents, or other family
members should be responsible for the child, and consider whether there should be
stronger legal penalties for child neglect, especially in comparison to child abuse cases.
For a child in an abusive situation, options beyond foster care or remaining in the abusive family
home include kinship care, where the child is placed with relatives, and residential treatment
centers that offer specialized care. Kinship care can provide stability and continuity in a familiar
environment, reducing trauma associated with displacement. Residential treatment centers offer
a structured and therapeutic environment for children with complex needs, providing
comprehensive support and counseling.
The responsibility for the child should ideally be shared among the State, parents, and other
family members. The State should ensure the child's safety and well-being through monitoring
and providing resources for alternative care arrangements. Parents, if capable of rehabilitation,
should be supported to create a safer environment for the child. Extended family members can
play a crucial role in offering a supportive and nurturing home, provided they are deemed fit
and willing.
Stronger legal penalties for child neglect are necessary, as neglect can have equally damaging
effects as direct abuse. Neglect, often characterized by prolonged periods of deprivation and lack
of basic care, can lead to severe physical, emotional, and developmental harm. By implementing
stricter penalties, the legal system would underscore the seriousness of neglect, promoting
greater accountability and encouraging proactive measures to prevent such situations.
Strengthening the response to neglect, in parallel with addressing abuse, ensures a more
comprehensive approach to child protection.
Week 2
Discuss the influence of rational choice in behavior, the difference between
psychopathology and teenage angst, and which school of criminology (classical,
neoclassical, or positive) you think is the most valid and why.
Rational choice theory says that people think about the good and bad things that could happen
before they do something. This suggests that when people commit crimes, they are deciding
based on weighing the risks. This idea is very different from the way we think about mental
health problems and the struggles teenagers go through. Mental health problems are serious and
can make it hard for someone to think clearly and function well. Teenage struggles are more
about the difficult emotions and behaviors that come with growing up and dealing with stress.
When it comes to studying crime, the positive school of thought is the most reasonable. It looks at
all the different things that might make someone act in a criminal way, like the way their body
works, the way they think, and the things that happen to them in their lives. This approach
supports making customized plans to help people and trying to get them back on track, which is
in line with the way we think about solving problems in today's world.
Week 3
Summarize the story of a juvenile offender (either in the news or a juvenile known to
you) and discuss whether or not they fit the typical offender profile, the sociological
theory that best explains their situation, and how their behavior might change if a
positive label were applied.
A noteworthy case is that of Kalief Browder, a juvenile who was arrested at 16 for allegedly
stealing a backpack. He ended up spending three years in jail before they dropped the charges.
What makes his story stand out is that he wasn't a typical troublemaker. Instead, he was just a
regular kid from a tough background who got blamed for something he didn't do. His story fits
with a theory in sociology that says people start acting badly when everyone sees them that way.
If people had called him a good kid instead, maybe things would have turned out better. It could
have given him more support and help, and he might have ended up in a better place.
Week 4
Discussing the factors that distinguish between adolescence-limited offenders and life-
course persistent offenders and evaluate the value of investing in programs for the latter
group.
Adolescence-limited offenders typically engage in criminal behavior during their teenage years,
largely due to peer influence and the desire for autonomy but desist as they transition into
, adulthood and assume more stable roles in society. In contrast, life-course persistent offenders
exhibit antisocial behavior from an early age that persists into adulthood, often due to a
combination of neurological deficits, family dysfunction, and adverse environmental conditions.
Investing in programs for life-course persistent offenders is highly valuable as it addresses the
root causes of their behavior, offering long-term societal benefits. Early interventions, such as
specialized education, mental health services, and family support programs, can mitigate the
factors that contribute to persistent offending, reducing recidivism rates and the social costs
associated with long-term criminal behavior. These programs not only improve individual
outcomes but also enhance community safety and economic stability by decreasing the burden on
the criminal justice system.
Week 5
Consider a child in an abusive situation. Discuss options other than foster care or
remaining in the abusive family home, determine if the State, parents, or other family
members should be responsible for the child, and consider whether there should be
stronger legal penalties for child neglect, especially in comparison to child abuse cases.
For a child in an abusive situation, options beyond foster care or remaining in the abusive family
home include kinship care, where the child is placed with relatives, and residential treatment
centers that offer specialized care. Kinship care can provide stability and continuity in a familiar
environment, reducing trauma associated with displacement. Residential treatment centers offer
a structured and therapeutic environment for children with complex needs, providing
comprehensive support and counseling.
The responsibility for the child should ideally be shared among the State, parents, and other
family members. The State should ensure the child's safety and well-being through monitoring
and providing resources for alternative care arrangements. Parents, if capable of rehabilitation,
should be supported to create a safer environment for the child. Extended family members can
play a crucial role in offering a supportive and nurturing home, provided they are deemed fit
and willing.
Stronger legal penalties for child neglect are necessary, as neglect can have equally damaging
effects as direct abuse. Neglect, often characterized by prolonged periods of deprivation and lack
of basic care, can lead to severe physical, emotional, and developmental harm. By implementing
stricter penalties, the legal system would underscore the seriousness of neglect, promoting
greater accountability and encouraging proactive measures to prevent such situations.
Strengthening the response to neglect, in parallel with addressing abuse, ensures a more
comprehensive approach to child protection.
