For this paper, you will critically analyze the book “There are no children here: The story of two boys growing up in the other America” (Kotlowitz 1992). Your paper should address three areas as shown below in bold/underlined texts. Include these subheadings in your paper.
Delinquency
Briefly summarize Kotlowitz’s book (K’s book). Do not recount the story.
Discuss what contribute to delinquency in this community. Specifically, discuss 3-4 most important/pertinent risk factors and address how each factor poses as a risk for children growing up in this community.
Address how delinquent patterns described in K’s book compare with what you have learned in this course. Compare patterns in terms of gender, age, race, class, and in terms of both victim and offender patterns. How are they similar and different compared to what you have learned.
Causes of Delinquency
Select 2 theories (one from each category below):
Category 1: Anomie; Cultural Deviance; Disorganization; Routine Activity; Critical
Category 2: General Strain; Social Learning; Social Bonds/Self-Control; Rational Choice; Labeling
Describe your chosen theories in detail (cite an academic book or journal article for each theory other than your textbook/lecture notes).
Address how each theory explains & fails to explain the delinquency in K’s book (use the details of K’s book in support of your claims).
Address how the two theories complement (i.e., how they are similar and different; what one does, whereas the other fails to do and vice versa).
Delinquency Control
Describe 2 programs (check notes & Chapters 3-4/11-14 of your textbook). (HINT: Programs must be tied to your chosen theories).
Discuss each program’s benefits and limitations (include academic reference for each program other than textbook/lecture notes).
Address whether there are hopes to reduce crime/delinquency in this community, which type of program may be more (or less) effective, and why.
Integrate your discussion into a coherent essay. Essays must be between 6 – 10 pages, not counting cover page and reference page. Please include a cover page with paper title, your name, course name and semester, and a separate page for listing references. Use double space and 1″ margin (12 font size). Abstract is NOT required. Please check grammar and typos carefully.
Essays are evaluated based on your understanding of the theories/concepts, and your ability to connect the conceptual tool with the story. Clarity of ideas, insights, presentation style, as well as organization and formatting ALL contribute to the evaluation.
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Please follow the American Sociological Association (ASA) general guidelines for citation and references (abstract is not required). See below: 1 & 2 are citation instructions for the body of the paper, and 3 is about the style and format of the reference list.
- When quoting the exact words, use quotation marks and author’s last name, year of publication, and the page number of the source. See below:
As Kotlowitz (1991, p. 13) reported, “There was little sense of community at Horner.”
- When paraphrasing, omit the quotation marks and reference it with a bracket.
Family disruption may contribute to criminal involvement by reducing informal social control (Sampson and Groves 1989).
3. List references alphabetically in a separate page titled “References.”
a) Referencing a book:
Author’s Last name, First name. Year. Book Title. Place of Publication: Publishing Company.
Kotlowitz, Alex. 1991. There Are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up In The Other America. New York: Anchor Books.
b) Referencing an article (with more than one author):
Author #1’s Last name, First name and Author #2’s First name Last Name. Year. “Article Title.” Journal Title volume #: page #.
Hirschi, Travis and Michael Gottfredson. 1983. “Age and the explanation of crime.” American Journal of Sociology 89: 552-584.
c) Referencing an Internet source:
Author’s Last name, First name. Year. “Article Title” Journal Name. Vol.#. Retrieved Date from http://address/filenameLinks to an external site..
Currie, Elliott. 1999. “Reflections on crime.” Western Criminology Review 2. Retrieved Aug. 2, 2015 from http://wcr.sonoma.edu/cur.htmLinks to an external site..
d) Referencing class notes:
Professor’s last name, first name, semester, and course title.
Liu, Ruth. Spring 2023. Sociology of Deviance Online Course Lectures. SDSU