Continuity in Delinquency Area Research: A Comparison of Studies for Baltimore, Detroit, and Indianapolis

In an attempt to reconcile the findings of two earlier delinquency area studies, rates of delinquency for Indianapolis census tracts are analyzed in relation to 18 indices of social, economic, and demographic characteristics. Results of a re-examination of studies reported by Lander (Baltimore) and Bordua (Detroit) are presented in addition to results obtained in the Indianapolis investigation. Data were taken from (1) the records of the Marion County Juvenile Court, (2) the 1950 census, and (3) the Baltimore and Detroit studies. Correlation matrices for all three cities were employed to investigate the effects of interaction among the variables, to extract and compare general statistical factors, and to collate the results for the three cities. The findings do not convincingly support Lander's conclusion that delinquency is more closely related to anomie than to economic characteristics of an area, but they do suggest that delinquency is related to transiency, poor housing and certain economic variables. (Abstract Adapted from Source: American Sociological Review, 1964. Copyright © 1964 by the American Sociological Association) Maryland Michigan Indiana Juvenile Delinquency Juvenile Offender Comparative Analysis Delinquency Rates Delinquency Incidence and Prevalence Demographic Factors Sociocultural Factors Socioeconomic Factors 07-02