Graduation Year
2023
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Sociology and Criminology
Faculty Advisor
Angela Kaufman-Parks
Abstract
The neglect of the best interests of minority youth is a problem running rampant in the United States juvenile justice system. In order to address this problem, the factors influencing why racial disparities exist within the juvenile justice system must be known, so that they can eventually be diminished. This thesis will first evaluate prior research on the factors influencing such racial disparities. Once previously discovered factors have been identified and discussed, additional research will be conducted to examine what attempts are currently being made in jurisdictions throughout the country to reduce the influence of these factors in how youth of color are processed through the juvenile justice system, and whether such attempts have proven successful thus far. Finally, this thesis will analyze additional proposals put forward by juvenile justice scholars, not yet enacted, to discuss both their potential merits and deficiencies if they were to be enacted in jurisdictions throughout the country moving forward.
Recommended Citation
Martin, Julia, "The Factors Affecting Racial Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System" (2023). Honors Theses. 118.
https://digitalcommons.assumption.edu/honorstheses/118