Theories And Characteristics Of The Differential Association Theory Of Juveniles

The differential association theory, created by Edwin H. Sutherland, states that criminals and juveniles learn to commit crime from others. Sutherland created this theory with a number of characteristics that go along with it. One of the first characteristics involved with this theory is that learning happens between people that belong to the same personal, intimate group. This means that a juvenile will learn motives, attitudes, and reasons to commit crimes through people that are close with them such as family, neighborhood groups of friends or other significant people in their life. This fosters the idea that juveniles grow up learning crime and think it is acceptable, that is why they do the same thing when they grow older. Sutherland …show more content…
The biggest strategy has already been stated, the juveniles need to have their parents involved in their life. Whether it is only one parent, both parents, or a capable guardian, someone needs to be at home teaching the juvenile what is socially and morally correct. Without this person in the juveniles’ life there is definitely something missing because the juvenile will most likely then do whatever he or she wants because they have no standards. Another important strategy related to the differential association theory is the building of relationships between juveniles and police officers. This is important because the first initial contact with a police officer should always be a good one. The idea is to immediately get the “all cops are bad” out of a juvenile’s head. This is especially important in the inner-city, lower class communities because the kids are most likely going to be out on the streets or at the community parks hanging out therefore as long as police are present the juveniles should not have to feel the need to commit crimes. Another strategy could be something as simple as having community programs that would keep the juveniles from hanging on the streets, but in some sort of program not far from home that is fun and teaches important values at the same time. This program could be something like a Police Athletic League, which would let the …show more content…
Rather than the police ignoring what happened or sending them home to their parents, train the police on how to talk to juveniles. Try to keep those juveniles from wanting to keep committing crimes. The police that catch the juveniles should not necessarily arrest and book them right away either. Bring them down to the station and try to get involved in their personal life. Find out what makes the juvenile want to commit crimes or if he or she is having additional problems in their life that may be beyond their control. Turn the negative of getting caught doing something bad into a positive where a relationship between an officer and a juvenile has been formed. Do not go from one end of the spectrum to the other, meaning do not ignore the problem and do not throw the kid into jail right away, but try and find that happy-medium where something positive can come