Book Review: Juvenile Delinquency: Causes and Control

• Published date: 01 February 2025
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/00938548241292825
• Author: V. Kalyani
• Date: 01 February 2025
• Subject Matter: Book Review

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR, 2025, Vol. 52, No. 2, February 2025, 313 –315.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548241292825

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© 2024 International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology

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BOOK REVIEW

Agnew, R., & Brezina, T. (2023). Juvenile Delinquency: Causes and Control (7th ed.). Oxford University

Press. ISBN 9780197653173.

The seventh edition of Juvenile Delinquency: Causes and Control by Robert Agnew,

with contributions from Timothy Brezina, offers a comprehensive and accessible

examination of juvenile delinquency. This review highlights the text’s incorporation of the

latest research, its discussion on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the expanded

coverage of public attitudes toward juvenile justice. The book’s structure, divided into four

parts with 25 chapters, and its pedagogical tools make it a valuable resource for students

and instructors in criminology.

Robert Agnew is a prominent figure in criminology, well-suited to author a text on

juvenile delinquency. He is a professor at Emory University and has authored numerous

influential works on juvenile delinquency and criminological theory. Agnew’s strain theory

is one of criminology’s most widely discussed and cited theories. His co-author, Timothy

Brezina, is also a respected scholar in the field, bringing additional depth to this updated

edition. “Juvenile Delinquency: Causes and Control” is a foundational text that thoroughly

explores the factors contributing to juvenile delinquency and the mechanisms of control

within the justice system. This seventh edition includes significant updates reflecting the

latest research and statistics, ensuring the content remains current and relevant. Notably,

the book addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth behavior and the

juvenile justice system, providing valuable insights into how the pandemic has influenced

patterns of delinquency and the functioning of justice institutions. In addition, the expanded

coverage of public attitudes toward juvenile justice practices and the treatment of young

offenders is a critical enhancement, exploring how societal perceptions shape and are

shaped by policies and practices within the juvenile justice system.

The book is meticulously organized into four parts, each addressing key aspects of

juvenile delinquency: The first part, “The Nature and Extent of Delinquency,” covers foun-

dational concepts, including definitions of delinquency, how it differs from adult crime,

methods of measuring delinquency, trends in delinquency rates, and the demographics of

delinquent behavior. It sets the stage for understanding the scope and nature of juvenile

delinquency. The second part, “The Causes of Delinquency: Theories,” delves into various

theoretical frameworks used to explain delinquency, including strain theory, social learning

AUTHORS’ NOTE: This review was written by Dr. V. Kalyani from the Department of Social Work, Rajagiri

College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Kochi, Kerala, India. This review highlights the text’s relevance in

criminology education and acknowledges its comprehensive approach to understanding juvenile delinquency,

influenced by professional from academic expertise.

1292825CJBXXX10.1177/00938548241292825Criminal Justice and BehaviorBook Review

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