Date of Award

11-11-1996

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Michael Schock, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Tony Bibus, III, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Bernardette Benner, M.S.W.

Abstract

More than 45,000 Minnesota juveniles were arrested for all types of offenses in 1993, and 8.3 out of every 100 Minnesota juveniles arrested were between the ages of 10 and 17 (MN State Legislative Auditor, 1995). This exploratory research is a study using face to face interviews with seven professionals working directly with adolescent males who have been arrested and convicted of illegal activity (including status offenses). Six social service professionals from Minneapolis/St. Paul and surrounding metro counties were interviewed. Participants shared their perspective on the personal and social forces they think influence adolescent recidivism. Recidivism in this study is defined as adolescents habitually returing to crime after being released from incarceration. Some of the social forces identified were negative peer pressure, family structure, family problems, family instability, lack of parenting skills, poor communication skills, and poverty. They also offered solutions to those problems presented. The solutions included giving the adolescents more support, more mentorship programs, involvement of community and churches, and employment opportunities for the adolescents. Implications for social work practice are discussed.

Identifier

SC 11.MSW.1997.Young.E

Download

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

COinS