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Delinquent Youth in a Transforming China

A Generation of Strain

  • Book
  • © 2017

Overview

Authors:
  1. Wan-Ning Bao

    1. Department of Sociology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, USA

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  • Presents an understanding of juvenile delinquency in China through the lens of strain theory
  • Explores how increasing levels of strain in the lives of Chinese youth is associated with higher levels of crime and delinquency
  • Provides a valuable reference for both Western and Chinese researchers who study society, culture and youth in contemporary China

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvii
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  2. Introduction

    • Wan-Ning Bao
    Pages 1-27

  3. Societal-Level Changes and Criminogenic Strain

    • Wan-Ning Bao
    Pages 29-69

  4. Individual-Level Changes and Criminogenic Strain

    • Wan-Ning Bao
    Pages 71-112

  5. Mediating Mechanisms of Strain and Delinquency

    • Wan-Ning Bao
    Pages 113-138

  6. Coping Mechanisms for Strain and Delinquency

    • Wan-Ning Bao
    Pages 139-180

  7. Strain, Coping, and Delinquency among Different Groups of Youth

    • Wan-Ning Bao
    Pages 181-201

  8. Conclusion

    • Wan-Ning Bao
    Pages 203-226

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 227-270
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Keywords

About this book

This book explores two major social problems facing Chinese society today: increased strain in the lives of young people and heightened rates of crime and delinquency, ultimately examining the links between them. More broadly, it draws on Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory and Agnew’s general strain theory to examine the factors and processes affecting young people, leading to life strain and delinquency. It represents the first study of this kind and involves the most systematic and comprehensive literature review of studies on major social, economic, political and cultural changes, as well as youth crime in contemporary China. Bao’s arguments are supported by empirical evidence including data findings and over a decade’s worth of observational research. Shedding new light on the nature of youth crime in a rapidly changing society, this methodical study will benefit policy makers and researchers, helping them to develop tactics and methods to reduce strain in the lives of young people, and thus effectively prevent delinquency in China.

Reviews

“China has undergone fundamental social and cultural changes in recent decades, with hundreds of millions of people being lifted out of poverty, but these changes have also resulted in an increase in delinquency or youth crime. In this exceptional book, Bao draws on her own research and leading crime theories to describe the macro- and micro- forces that account for this increase.  I enthusiastically recommend this book to both students and scholars; it provides an excellent overview of Chinese society and its explanation for the increase in crime makes a major contribution to the literature – extending strain and other theories in important ways.” (Dr. Robert Agnew, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Sociology, Emory University, USA; Past President, American Society of Criminology)     

“Juvenile delinquency in China has been significantly on the rise as the country experiences profound social change over the past decades. However, Chinese delinquency has been understudied; we know very little about the causes and social responses to delinquency in China; there is no systematic book length research particularly examining General Strain Theory under the Chinese context. Professor Bao is a pioneer in this undertaking, and this book not only makes a unique contribution to the study of Chinese delinquency, but also is a highly significant contribution for Asian Criminology in general. I strongly recommend the book to scholars and students of criminology around the world.” (Dr. Jianhong Liu, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Macau, China; President, Scientific Commission of International Society for Criminology; Chairman, General Assembly of Asian Criminological Society)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Sociology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, USA

    Wan-Ning Bao

About the author

Wan-Ning Bao is Professor in the Department of Sociology at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).

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