Norms of Violence

Norms of Violence: Violent Socialization Processes and the Spillover Effect for Youth Crime explores the degree to which violent socialization processes, both at the macro- and micro-levels, are associated with youth criminal behavior. Based on a quantitative test of an integrated theory of social control and culture of violence, the author argues that violent socialization is a process involving physical violence, exposure to violence, and pro-violent communications. All three dimensions, in combination with national level indicators of violence, contribute to a norm of violence which, at a national-level, spills over into other dimensions of society, including the family environment. This book seeks to answer if violent socialization processes truly control youth behavior. Various quantitative methods are used to demonstrate how violent socialization tends to be more prevalent in nations with indicators of violence compared to nations without such indicators. The spilling over of violence into socialization processes creates a context of violence normalized as a form of social control, which exacerbates youth criminal behavior within pro-violent nations. This book is unique in propelling a more thorough explanation of international youth crime by focusing on both victimization (violent socialization) and offending, rather than arguing solely that victimization is a correlate of youth crime. It provides a reference point for future comparative research offering theoretical explanations for youth crime across different nations and is essential reading for those engaged in youth and juvenile justice efforts and scholars interested in issues surrounding violence, youth, and justice.

Aimée X. Delaney is Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Worcester State University. Prior to working in academia, she was employed for many years in the American criminal/juvenile justice systems, including work in child protection, a special investigator in the State of New Hampshire, and manager of a juvenile diversion program specializing in alterative conflict resolution. She earned her PhD from the University of New Hampshire, under the direction and guidance of Dr. Murray Straus, Dr. Cesar Rebellon, and Dr. Melissa Wells. Dr. Delaney has published in Criminal Justice Review, Contemporary Perspectives in Family Violence, International Criminal Justice Review, International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, and Sexual Harassment and Misconduct: An Encyclopedia among other published works. Dr. Delaney is also the primary evaluator for a Drug-Free Community Grant, for which she has developed five different Youth Risk Behavior Surveys and analyzed data obtained from these surveys. She has written several policy publications and monographs related to work on this Drug-Free Community Grant. Dr. Delaney's research focuses on family and community violence, focusing on risk factors associated with youth victimization and offending both within the United States and globally, and the impact of youth violence and victimization on the justice systems and communities. As an active member of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and the Northeast Association of Criminal Justice Sciences, Dr. Delaney regularly presents her research at the annual meetings.

Preface 1. Introduction 2. Theoretical Explanations of Socialization Processes and Youth Criminal Behavior 3. Norms of Violence 4. Methodology 5. Analyzing Norms of Violence 6. What Do We Do: The Implications for Norms of Violence Appendix