Juvenile Delinquency: Why Do Youths Commit Crime? focuses on why juveniles commit crime. It includes discussions on what constitutes criminal behavior by juveniles, the general theories on delinquency, and discussions that tie the theories with real life situations. The book opens the students' eyes to the fascinating concepts involving juvenile delinquency, and is designed to provide a complete study of the behavior, beliefs, conditions, and reactions to deviance by young offenders. Throughout Cliff Roberson and Elena Azaola gives students a detailed discussion of and what constitutes juvenile delinquency to allow for better understanding of this phenomenon. In each of the chapters, the authors encourage the student to develop new insights on criminal behavior of juveniles. The book makes the subject come alive by the generous use of "down to earth" examples of the issues involved in the area. While each chapter builds on the previous chapters, the book is written in a manner to reduce the necessity of memorization by students. Each chapter begins with chapter objectives that highlights key points for the student and brief chapter outlines. Each chapter closes with a practicum, chapter summary, and discussion and review questions which enhance student learning. The book closes with a glossary where student may refer to they key terms and words throughout the text.

In each of the chapters, our objective is to encourage the student in the development of new insights on criminal behavior by young people. The manuscript will make the subject come alive by the generous use of "down to earth" examples of the issues involved in the area. While each chapter builds on the previous chapters, the text will be written in a manner to reduce the necessity of memorization by students. Each chapter will begin with "What You Need to Know" that highlights key points for the reader and brief chapter outlines. Each chapter will close with questions in review, case studies, and exercises to enhance student learning. Key terms and words will be contained in a glossary that may be referred to by the students.

Deviant behavior is not a subject that you study in school and then file away. It is a study of life and is ever changing. Defining the concept of deviant behavior is one of the most difficult tasks to overcome when studying the subject. Sociologists probably disagree more over the meaning of deviant behavior than any other subject. Deviant Behavior is an easy-to-read text that defines and explains the concepts and issues involved in the study of deviant behavior. The book begins by exploring the nature and definition of deviance. It discusses why certain conduct is labeled as deviant and some is not. It examines the two major perspectives on what constitutes deviance-positivism and constructionism. It goes on to look at the various theoretical explanations for deviant behavior, including free will or lack thereof, rational choice, social control, cultural transmission, strain theories, and biological and psychological explanations. The book provides an in-depth explanation of the many categories of deviant behavior-interpersonal violence, self-destructive behavior, family violence, business and organized crime, governmental deviance, cybercrimes, and human trafficking and commercial sex. The authors take an international approach and emphasize that what is deviant in one culture may not be deviant in another. To aid understanding, each chapter concludes with a detailed summary, review questions, and definitions of the relevant key terms.