Includes bibliographical references (p. 490-611) and indexes.

Contents: What is delinquency and how does it differ from adult crime? -- How is delinquency measured? -- How much delinquency is there, and is delinquency increasing? -- Who is most likely to engage in delinquency? -- What is a theory and how do we test theories ? -- The life course -- I delinquency more likely in certain situations? -- Group differences in delinquency -- Individual traits -- Pulling it all together -- Policies and programs -- The police -- Juvenile courts and corrections -- The juvenile justice system -- The strategies of deterrence and incapacitation -- Th e strategies of prevention and rehabilitation -- What should we do to reduce delinquency?