This interdisciplinary volume provides a wide-ranging overview of the causes of criminal behaviour in children and adolescents. Following a literary and historical introduction, the contributors to this volume explore the theory and social policy that have shaped society's responses to young people in trouble. They then examine a number of key current issues, including: how families, peers, schools and the community influence delinquent behaviour; the role of substance abuse; the influence of television on violent behaviour; the nature and treatment of violent behaviour in adolescents; youth gangs; and effective community-based approaches for treating juvenile offenders.