Evidence- Based Practices: Supporting Theories

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“Your Children who have ridiculed me, who have chosen not to accept me, who treated me like I am not worth their time, are dead,” (Harris). Littleton, Colorado was a Midwestern city that went relatively unheard of until that day. It was on that Tuesday morning that Littleton became the site of the worst school shooting in American history. On April 20^th, 1999, two boys came to Columbine High School with the intentions to kill over 500 of their fellow classmates and teachers. Dylan Klebold, 17, and Eric Harris, 18 were two of the most talked about teenagers in recent history, their names and faces will be stamped in the memories of Americans forever.

What made these two young men, who seemed to have no threatening or violent tendencies, arm themselves to the teeth and blow away twelve classmates and a teacher, before each taking a bullet themselves? To understand what went on the day of the Columbine High School shooting, we must look at what went on that Tuesday, and what went on before. In today’s society there are many different ways that teens affiliate themselves with different groups, whether it be a positive or negative influence can determine why juveniles commit violent acts.

            Why are adolescents committing robberies, assault, murder, and sexual offences? The question has been present for decades yet nobody knows the correct answer. There has been speculation from many but it remains an open-ended question, meaning there is no one correct answer but many perspectives on the matter. What events play a factor in the development of an individual and what is the possible end result? On one hand, it could be because of the way s/he was raised, ones personality, or ones lack of self-esteem. However, on the other hand it could be the influence of his/her peers that motivate s/he to do the things they do. These are the questions that were asked when the understanding and development of evidence-based practices were developed.

There are numerous theories and possibilities that aid in the end result of adolescents committing violent crimes. One of them fits the circumstances the best, Social Control Theory. The Social Control theory depends on ones social factors to describe his/her actions.  In “Criminological Theories,” written by Frank P. Williams and Marilyn D. McShane (2010), the theorist, Albert J. Reiss, Jr. suggest that there are three factors that explain the connection between personality and socialization. First, is a lack of proper internal controls developed in early childhood. So a child’s ability to control their emotions or lack there of can affect their socialization skills. The second, a breakdown of those lacking controls. Last, the lack or absence of social rules in important social groups. If the Columbine shooters, or any other juvenile violent offenders, are lacking in these areas it could be the cause of their low self-control and low self-esteem and lead to lack of socialization skills that make h/she feel important.           

Williams and McShane also talk about the Containment Theory, which contributes to the Social control theory. It focuses on the idea that delinquency is a fight between two types of controls; internal and external.

“The components in ones internal control is a combination of self-

control, self- concept, ego strength, goal orientation, and ability to

   find substitute satisfactions. The components of the external control 

       consists of family and school reinforcement of social norms and vales, 

       reasonable opportunity for social activity, opportunity for acceptance, 

identity, and belongingness,” (p.152)

If a young person doesn’t have the ability to feel like they belong to a group or a family, having social bonds, often they might feel left out and over a long period of time its understandable for them to be angry, just like what happened to Dylan and Erick during the years that lead up to the Columbine shooting. 

            Another theorist in McShane and Williams book, Travis Hirschi, believes that there are four important elements of social control that are the basis for ones social bonds. These strength or weaknesses of these elements are what determine ones social bond. The first is attachment to peers and partners. Having the element of attachment is important to the conformity of social relationships. If juveniles have the attachment and ties to their society they are less likely to participate in delinquent behavior. The second element is involvement in their society or family. If these violent teens had been more involved in their school, families, and community their behavior may not have been so negative. The next element is commitment. Most teens that are committed to school or outside activities are less likely to become a part of the other negative groups that require commitment, such as gangs.  The last element is belief; it involves the awareness of society and rules. The rules of ones society can play a big part in their decision-making. If they don’t believe that they need to follow those rules then they are likely to participate in activities that go against those rules. These are all elements that if worked on can be used to prevent youth from becoming a part of the criminal population. Understanding elements like these are where the foundation for evidence-based practices evolved.

            Evidence based practices (EBP) are a newly developed way of looking at contributes of juvenile delinquency.  All of the theories I have discussed are a big contribution to the conclusion that EBP works. Looking at the motivation behind young delinquents behavior is extremely important, especially when we are trying to reduce the amount of delinquency. Creating these elements of attachment, involvement, commitment and belief in prevention programs will get these youth on the right track will continue to drop crime rates in Juveniles. That is what EBP have discovered and are pushing for.

References

Bishop, Donna M., “Evidence-Based Practices and Juvenile Justice.” Criminology &

Publoc Policy. 11.3 (2012):483-489.

Church, Westly, Tracy Wharton, and Julie Taylor. "An Examination of Differential Association and Social Control Theory: Family Syatems and Delinquency." Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice. 7.1 (2008).

Frymer, Benjamin. "The Media Spctacle of Columbine: Alienated Youth as an Object of Fear." American Behavioral Scientist. (2009): 1387-1405.

Williams, Frank, and Marilyn McShane. "Criminological Theory, Fifth Edition." New Jersey 07458. (2010): 154-158.