Arresting Children: Examining Recent Trends in Preteen Crime

Research Review
Posted by: Research_Reviewer on Sat, 30 Aug 08 02:02:57 +0000

Extremely great research paper. Reading and observing all the data facts and numbers along with percentages for preteens and juveniles only made me want to read even more page after page. There were some data that wasn’t surprising to read, but other was just, “whoa.” Such surprising data was the female to male ratio in preteen to juvenile offenders’ analysis in person-offense incidents. Table 5 was a very surprising gathered data as it expressed female offenders and victims. Just looking at the percentage numbers of female offenders for sexual assault for preteens doubling those 13 years old and older very much disgusted me. As well, sexual assaults done by preteens were more than doubled to those victims under the age of seven; family member victimization was even more shocking in the sexual assault category. 

            The gathered data between 1980 and 2006 for weapon offenses were found to have increased 235% for preteens and 78% for those 13 years old and older. I could see this data as understandable since all the weapon violence that has happened over the years in schools might have greatly influenced these preteens. Moreover, other influence may have been started by juveniles beginning the crimes and preteens following in their footsteps. These influences will explain the crimes that have been occurred by preteens but surely will not excuse their motives.

            For a bit of more improvement on the research data, I would like to see the population number and the location of these crimes. I feel that including that information, it will be an essential element to the whole paper. Moreover, the percentages given in Table 1 for Preteens of all juvenile arrests in comparison between the years 1980 and 2006, there is no definite number on the arrests. The line graphs in the figures are great as they show much increases and decreases of preteen crimes. Looking at table 4, preteens accounted for 1 of every 40 person offenders reported to law enforcement agencies in 2005, show only ages and percentages without any gender proportions which would be interesting to see.

            All of these increases and decreases in violence do not describe or explain the data gathered. There is also location and event correspondence that is not included in this paper, which I believe is an essential part of explaining the results gathered. Events that have occurred over the years might have influenced these crimes to increase or decrease in numbers. Such events could be any of the following or others: September 11^th, 2001, Columbine Shooting, and/or others.  Overall, this paper is extraordinary and I loved reading it page to page. Great work.