Using the most current information available, this book explores the phenomenon and research on status offenders, or offenses that can only be committed by minors. Examples include running away, truancy, incorrigibility, curfew violations, underage drinking and smoking.

The topic of status offenders was popular in the research community and among social workers in the 1970s, when policymakers attempted to distinguish status offenders from more traditional/serious offenders. More recently, the focus has been on punitive measures for all offenders. Today the perception is that since some status offenders commit traditional forms of delinquency as well, the handling of such offenders has reflected a general “law and order” approach to crime control.

Even though some status offending serves as a gateway activity for traditional delinquency, the sweeping treatment of status offenders likely ensures that some youth will be detained and punished for being mistreated or neglected by parents rather than for their actual offenses.

This book is invaluable for students taking a course on juvenile delinquency or juvenile justice as well as researchers examining any one of the many topics covered in the chapters.

“McNamara has written an excellent study on the precursors to juvenile delinquency and youth disengagement in US society...McNamara is to be commended for presenting a thorough investigation of the gateway factors that lead to youthful offending, and ways the juvenile justice system and communities can assist these youth at risk of disengaged lives.” — CHOICE Magazine, August 2008