Juvenile Courts, U.S. History

One of the main institutions of social control during childhood is that of the juvenile court. While its early philosophy was one of the treatment and its impact was on a minority of children, the social control of children and the definition of what is delinquent has expanded over time. In the early 21st century, in any given year, there were between 1.5 and 2.5 million arrests of juveniles for delinquent and criminal behavior in the United States. This entry places U.S. juvenile courts in context; explores their history, language, and due process; and finally, examines their connection to broader crime prevention initiatives in the United States.