USF St. Petersburg campus Faculty Publications
Contradictions and consensus: Youths speak out about juvenile curfews.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1999
ISSN
0735-648X
Abstract
Juvenile curfew laws are supposed to reduce juvenile crime and victimization. Yet, current empirical evidence demonstrates that these laws are ineffective, but cannot explain why. This study examines the New Orleans juvenile curfew law through focus group discussions with youths. The focus groups were designed to determine their experiences and reactions to this law. The major dimensions explored are their knowledge of the law, compliance with the law, reactions to enforcement of the curfew, and evaluation of the law. The results show that the adolescents’ knowledge of the curfew is incomplete, disobedience is widespread, they are concerned about unfair enforcement of the law, and yet they overwhelmingly support the curfew. Further examination of the youths’ statements show that they feel unsafe and they want parents to be responsible for them and to protect them.
Language
en_US
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Recommended Citation
Reynolds, K.M., Ruefle, W., Jenkins, P. & Seydlitz, R. (1999). Contradictions and consensus: Youths speak out about juvenile curfews. Journal of Crime and Justice, 22(2), 171-192. doi: 10.1080/0735648X.1999.9721099
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
Citation only. Full-text article is available through licensed access provided by the publisher. Members of the USF System may access the full-text of the article through the authenticated link provided.