JUVENILE DELINQUENCY: THE CORE, 4e delivers cutting-edge coverage of essential theory, policy, and the latest research in one value-priced, reader-friendly paperback. Renowned for its balanced approach and engaging writing style, this brief text helps readers understand the nature of delinquency and its causes, as well as current strategies being used to control or eliminate its occurrence. It offers the latest coverage of emerging policies and programs, juvenile hate crime, social reaction and labeling theories, learning problems and delinquency, gangs, drugs, and capital punishment for juveniles. It emphasizes intervention success stories and includes new career profiles that provide invaluable insight into potential career paths--from those who work them every day. In addition, leading-edge learning aids like chapter objectives, critical thinking questions, and a helpful point-by-point summary in each chapter help students maximize their course success.