Strayer University Week 2 Juvenile Delinquency and Social Control Discussion

The projected topic of study for the dissertation is what impact does participation in interscholastic sports during high school have on juvenile delinquency in rural communities?

Problem Statement

Travis Hirschi originally discussed interscholastic sports as part of his tenet of involvement within social control theory (1969). As part of this theory and this specific tenet, Hirschi discussed that juveniles who are involved in a positive activity will be less likely to engage in delinquent behaviors (Hirschi, 1969). Hirschi authored Causes of Delinquency in 1969 which was a review of hypothesis regarding social control theory in which he provided empirical data from self-report surveys of delinquency (Costello & Laub, 2020). Since 1969, further research has been conducted specifically to interscholastic sports involvement correlating with involvement in delinquent behaviors and the results continue to be inconclusive or lack significant association (Spruit et al, 2015). In a study completed by Spruit and colleagues, 132,366 participants were studied with multiple different variables. It was found through this study that when comparing involvement in interscholastic sports and rates of engagement in juvenile delinquency, a significant association could not be noted (Spruit et al, 2015).

In another study completed solely by Spruit, research showed a positive relationship between interscholastic sports involvement and the development of positive youth behavior, however, continued to be inconclusive regarding prevention of juvenile delinquency (Spruit, 2017). Spruit discusses the continued need for further research to identify what effect is present on the correlation between the involvement in interscholastic sports and the rate of engagement in delinquency. Spruit also notes the importance of the continued study based on the financial impact of delinquent behavior and the goal of rehabilitation of youth (Spruit, 2017).

The research that will be conducted through this dissertation will attempt to find a stronger significance between a youth’s involvement in high school interscholastic sports and his or her involvement in delinquent behaviors. Delinquent behaviors for the sake of this study and the intent of exclusivity and exhaustivity will include both criminal acts as well as status offenses.

As a resident of Bradford County, Pennsylvania which is surrounded by Tioga County, Pennsylvania to the West, Sullivan County to the South and Susquehanna County to the East, the rural sense of living is prominent. For context, Bradford County, Pennsylvania is comprised of 60,323 people in 1,161 square miles, Tioga of 40,591 people in 1,133 square miles, Sullivan of 6,066 people in 449 square miles, and Susquehanna 40,328 people in 823 miles (Bureau). This data translates into the high schools within these counties and how youth are impacted. For example, and the desire behind his study, high schools within these counties have to combine with one another in order to have enough students to participate in interscholastic sports of any kind. The study, guided by the current theories on delinquency, will aim to provide information to these rural communities about the benefits of involvement in interscholastic sports should a significant relationship be identified.

The research will be conducted through the qualitative methodology. A survey will be produced and provided through a tool that will allow for the anonymity of the respondent. This survey will be a self-report survey of prior delinquent behaviors of the respondent. Individuals will be required to be 18 years of age or older to complete the survey. The survey will be provided to Mansfield University Students. Once the survey has been completed, the data will be extracted and analyzed.

Use of Resources

The use of resources provided by Walden for the Capstone project will be endlessly helpful. These resources will assist me in guiding my literature review, development of each section of the dissertation as well as provide insight into what is required to complete. For example, the problem statement is more than simply stating the problem of why the research is being conducted. This information was able to be found in the guides on what needs to be included, a checklist almost. Further, information is provided on the development of my committee. This is important to understand because having a committee who is right for your dissertation will provide further success.

References

Bureau, U. (n.d.). Census.gov. Retrieved December 08, 2020, from https://www.census.gov/

Costello, B., & Laub, J. (2020, January). Social Control Theory: The Legacy of Travis Hirschi’s Causes of Delinquency. Retrieved December 08, 2020, from https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-criminol-011419-041527

Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of delinquency. Berkley, CA: University of California Press.

Spruit, A. (2017). Keeping youth in play: The effects of sports-based interventions in the prevention of juvenile delinquency.

Spruit, A., Van Vug, E., Van der Put, C., Van der Stouwe1, T. & Jan Stams, G. (2015). Sports Participation and Juvenile Delinquency: A Meta-Analytic Review. J Youth Adolescence, 45, 655–671. DOI 10.1007/s10964-015-0389-7