How American Government Frames Youth Problems
Abstract
Ross and Miller (2011) examine how U.S. Government agencies perceive and address issues
related to people. They argue that the structure of the government along, with systems for
delivering services leads to disjointed and occasionally inconsistent policies regarding youth,
especially those involved in the juvenile justice system. Dealing with problems requires a
combination of collaboration, bureaucracy, federalism and involvement from various
stakeholders. Effective collaboration between levels of government is necessary to establish an
efficient juvenile system while allowing each state to fulfill its own responsibilities. Bureaucratic
structures like the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) play a role in
allocating resources formulating rules. Ensuring compliance with federal regulations within the
juvenile justice system. Additionally federalism defines the roles and responsibilities of state and
local governments in addressing youth concerns. However it is important to acknowledge that
building teamwork is not a task. Therefore this article aims to explore the dynamics of
collaboration among departments and groups within the juvenile justice system. Lastly this paper
will provide insights, into collaboration challenges while considering a perspective in glance of
Christine worldview.
Keywords: Juvenile justice system, Collaboration, Bureaucracy, Federalism,
Introduction
The government framework, which encompasses laws, rules and actions plays a vital role, in
addressing issues affecting young people. The concept of separating powers, which ensures a
distribution of authority among three branches of government. The legislative, executive and
judicial branches. Forms the foundation of the American political system. The purpose of
establishing such divisions was to maintain an equitable split power and to prevent a single
sector from turning excessively dominant. The separation of authority and power across the
federal and state governments is critical to take into account when examining the juvenile justice
system, as it makes certain that every aspect has a say in how to tackle difficulties throughout the
juvenile justice system. To construct an effective and efficient juvenile system, collaboration at
all levels of government is essential, with each state implementing its own tasks. All stakeholders
participating in the process gain from this partnership. This research will look at the pattern of
collaboration amongst the juvenile justice system's constituent authorities and organizations, as
well as the juvenile justice system's underlying structure. It will also look into the obstacles that
arise when seeking to develop cooperation among various entities. Finally, this study will
address the concept of collaboration as well as its associated challenges from the perspective of a
Christian worldview.
Framework
The framework of American youth problems encompasses a range of challenges, including
juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, mental health issues, educational disparities, and
economic disadvantages. Addressing these issues requires collaboration among various sectors,
including the juvenile justice system, public health, education, and social services. The authority
to authorize surveillance of adolescent behavior, compel young individuals to engage in
programs, and remove juvenile offenders from their families and communities to place them in
secure facilities is a potent tool wielded by juvenile justice authorities. At the federal level, Ross
and Miller (2011) assert that the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
administers federal government funding, executes the government's juvenile policy, and ensures
compliance with federal laws pertaining to juvenile justice. Regarding juvenile justice,
government bodies wield substantial influence over policy matters at the state level. According
to Ross and Miller, states typically shoulder the financial burden of incarcerating juveniles and
implementing various alternative sentencing measures (Ross and Miller 2011). Bureaucracy in
the context of youth problems in America is instrumental in shaping policies, providing
resources, and ensuring compliance with federal guidelines, ultimately contributing to the
framework of the juvenile justice system and youth-focused programs.
Collaborations
Collaborative endeavors within the juvenile justice system entail the engagement of various
community- based organizations and professionals, working collectively to improve the well-
being of young individuals who interact with the juvenile justice system. To ensure success in
collaborative endeavors within the juvenile justice system and attain fairness and equal access to
justice, it is imperative that juveniles do not disproportionately shoulder the weight of
involvement in the justice system (Kim, McCarter et al. 2020). In 2016, close to a million young
individuals were taken into custody in the United States (Kim, McCarter et al. 2020, Kelley and
Haskins 2021). Collaboration between juvenile justice and child welfare agencies is more
effective in improving outcomes for youth who are engaged with both systems. Research has
indicated that juveniles, particularly those labeled as delinquents, often originate from disrupted
family backgrounds. The complexity of the Juvenile Justice System suggests that a collaborative
approach involving various agencies and professionals from diverse disciplines can hold the
potential for achieving positive outcomes for all juvenile delinquents who come into contact with
the system. The child welfare and juvenile justice systems have often been criticized for
operating independently of each other, resulting in negative consequences for young individuals
(Modrowski, Chaplo et al. 2023). This collaborative partnership is crucial for recognizing and
addressing the distinct and intricate requirements of youth who are involved in both systems, a
particularly vulnerable and high-risk group (Kelley and Haskins 2021). Bureaucratic, legal,
budgetary, and technological barriers often prevent different agencies from effectively sharing
information with each other. This lack of communication among agencies creates challenges for
caseworkers and other staff involved in collaborative efforts within the juvenile justice system.
Unauthorized disclosure of information can lead to legal consequences, both criminally and
civilly, for both individuals and institutions (Sherman and Jacobs 2011).
Federalism Framework
Federalism plays a crucial role in shaping and addressing youth problems in America by
distributing powers and responsibilities between the federal government and individual states.
This structure, which is enshrined in the US Constitution, permits a multi-tiered approach to
addressing teenage concerns. On one end of the spectrum, the federal government can develop
broad strategies and deploy resources that will have a national impact on young people, such as
funding for education and healthcare. Federal measures such as the Every Student Succeeds Act,
also known as the ESSA and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), for example, have had substantial
ramifications for juvenile education and healthcare access (Hess and Eden 2021).
Federalism, on the contrary hand, allows different states to address adolescent challenges that are
specific to their regions. States can tailor their policies and initiatives to meet the unique
requirements of their young people. States like California along with Colorado, for instance,
have developed their own policies for youth cannabis use that reflect local interests and values.
However, because federalism is decentralised, variations in the quality of amenities and
possibilities available to young people may exist. Disparities in school financing, healthcare
access, and social services can result from differences in state regulations and resources. Others
argue that federalism can hamper efforts to address national juvenile concerns like the drug crisis
or juvenile homeless. Others argue that federalism can hamper efforts to address national
juvenile concerns like the drug crisis or adolescent homelessness. While federalism can foster
innovation, it also raises challenges in terms of fairness and coordination, mandating efficient
cooperation between the federal and state governments in order to protect the healthy
development of America's youth (Wiegmann, Young et al. 2021).
Bureaucracy Framework
The role of bureaucracy in addressing youth problems in America is pivotal and multifaceted.
Bureaucratic agencies and organizations at various levels of government, such as the federal
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and state-level juvenile justice
departments, play a significant role in the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies and
programs aimed at addressing youth issues. These bureaucracies allocate funding, establish
regulations, and oversee the juvenile justice system, which includes surveillance of teenage
conduct, intervention programs, and secure facilities for juvenile offenders. Additionally, they
are responsible for ensuring that federal laws related to juvenile justice are adhered to,
contributing to the standardization and consistency of juvenile justice practices across the nation.
Bureaucracies also influence the allocation of resources for youth-related programs, including
education, healthcare, and social services, which are crucial components in addressing the root
causes of youth problems. Their administrative roles involve coordination with various
stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, non-profit organizations, and community
groups, to foster collaboration and implement effective strategies to tackle issues such as juvenile
delinquency, substance abuse, and educational attainment (Ross and Miller 2011).
Stakeholders Framework
Stakeholders play a crucial role in establishing the structure of America's youth challenges, as
their participation and collaboration are vital for innovative solutions. Stakeholders include
government entities, community organizations, educational institutions, healthcare providers, law
enforcement, and parents or guardians. Federal and state governments allocate cash, formulate
policies, and oversee youth-related programming. Community organizations and non-profits
frequently provide vital support services and systems for at-risk teenagers, like mentoring, after-
school initiatives, and resource access. Educational institutions as well as healthcare personnel
have crucial roles to play in identifying and resolving educational and health difficulties among
children (Pikulski, Pella et al. 2020). In the framework of juvenile justice and community
policing, law enforcement institutions interact with youth. Finally, carers or guardians are critical
stakeholders since their participation in their children's lives has a significant impact on their
well-being and choices. (Karch 2019). Effective collaboration among these stakeholders is
essential to comprehensively address youth problems and create supportive environments for
young individuals.
Tunnel Problem Framework
The tunnel problem framework of youth problems in America offers a valuable perspective on
understanding and addressing issues faced by young individuals. This framework suggests that
youth problems can be likened to a tunnel, with entry points representing various risk factors
such as poverty, family instability, substance abuse, and inadequate education. As young people
progress through this metaphorical tunnel, they encounter challenges that may lead to negative
outcomes like delinquency, school dropout, and mental health issues. Effective interventions and
support systems act as "exit ramps" within the tunnel, offering opportunities for youth to deviate
from a potentially destructive path and navigate toward positive outcomes. Regrettably, when a
child enters one of these theoretical pathways, altering their trajectory to a different one becomes
a formidable challenge. The issue with this approach lies in the fact that while the initial agency
may be following its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the services provided may not be
the most suitable course of action for that specific individual. Depending on which pathway a
person is directed toward, it can have adverse consequences for the juvenile involved. Ross and
Miller elaborate on the presence of racial bias within the juvenile justice system, highlighting the
undeniable reality that African American juveniles often receive more punitive treatment
compared to their white counterparts (Ross and Miller 2011).
Opposing Views
The decentralized structure of federal and state governments presents several hurdles for entities
offering services within the juvenile justice system. The primary obstacle lies in the exchange of
information among these entities. As highlighted by Pollack and Frisno in their 2005 study,
confidentiality regulations serve as a hindrance to inter-agency communication due to the
potential legal consequences, including civil or criminal penalties, associated with breaches of
these laws, which are intended to safeguard the anonymity of juveniles. Another perspective
suggests that when organizations collaborate, it can create competition for limited funding and
resources. As outlined by Bunger et al. in their 2014 study, inter organizational relationships can
result in a competition for the same resources, including financial support in the form of grants,
and a demand for highly skilled personnel. This competition could potentially strain these
relationships and, in turn, hinder the system's ability to effectively serve the very individuals or
groups they aim to assist. The juvenile justice system encounters an additional hurdle in the form
of effective information sharing. While federal laws are designed to safeguard the rights of
juveniles, the insufficiency of information exchange results in delays in providing essential
medical care, thereby subjecting the involved agencies to intense scrutiny in high-profile cases
(Ross and Miller 2011).
Christian Worldview
"I urge you, fellow believers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to come to a consensus and
avoid any divisions among yourselves. Instead, strive to be in harmony of thought and reach a
shared understanding"(1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV). This demonstrates the essential nature of
collaborative endeavors in upholding law and order. "See how wonderful and harmonious it is
when individuals come together in unity!"(Psalms 133:1, ESV). Within the Church family, a
diverse array of individuals possesses various skills and abilities, all contributing to the
glorification of God. If everyone possessed identical skill sets, it would lead to numerous
challenges. Similarly, in the juvenile justice system, the success of a single organization in
providing assistance is limited. However, multiple stakeholders bring distinct skills, resources,
and capabilities, which collectively work towards accomplishing the organization's objectives,
whether they pertain to prevention or intervention. From whom the whole body, joined and held
together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the
body grow so that it builds itself up in love (Ross and Miller 2011).
Conclusion
This paper aims to elucidate and explore the framework underpinning the juvenile justice system
and the collaborative dynamics among various agencies and organizations within it. Within the
juvenile justice system, the government's structural setup affords each branch of government a
role, resulting in the establishment of a bureaucratic system reliant on cooperation among
numerous governmental entities. However, achieving effective collaboration has posed
challenges for organizers due to factors like competition among organizations for limited
resources, federal regulations safeguarding the anonymity of individuals within the system, and
complexities in sharing sensitive information. Ultimately, the overarching objective is to ensure
that juveniles within the system receive the best possible care and guidance. The most effective
means of realizing this goal is through fostering collaboration and synergy among all ranks of
government.
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