Social Work and Sexual Violence...Assignment #3

Felicia McCaw
SW 314
Social Work and
Sexual Violence
Assignment #3

Reference: ProQuest Sociology
32(3) 147-157
http://0-search.proquest.com.library.svsu.edu/sociology/docview/212092915/fulltext/1391D125D9E5D177E96/10?accountid=960

Pathways to Drug and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Detained Adolescent


Compiled and written by:

Voisin, Dexter R., Neilands, Torsten B., Salazar, Laura F.
Crosby, Richard, DiClemente, Ralph J.

Name of Study

Pathways to Drug and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Detained Adolescent

Literature

This study consists of data compiled from 559 participants (youth) from detention centers to investigate and try to establish a link between drug, sexual risks behaviors and community violence. Many of the youth detained come from disadvantaged backgrounds and impoverished communities and are at higher risk to negative influences and dangers of community violence. The risks for contracting STDs and drug use are higher than in other adolescents groups.

Method Used to Conduct the Study

The concept for this study is based on the Social Control Theory and based on this theory high rates of violence is prevalent in communities and results in social disorganization which result in breakdowns in societal norms and legalistic norms until control is not able to be continued.

Measures

From a time-frame of October 2001 and July 2003 youth were recruited from eight regional youth detention centers (RYDCs) – ratio 3:1 – boys to girls. The study had an 82% participation rate and whose ages were from 14 to 18 years old.

Results

The sampling for the study comprised 559 of heterosexual preference. Half were females (50.1%), 46.7% (identified as white), and 53.3% identified as not white (46.0% African American/black and 7.3% other – not identified). Approximately 25.6% lived with parents and 45.1% lived with one parent. Over 70% were exposed to high risk and violence in the community (personally and witnessed).




Felicia McCaw
SW 314
Assignment #3
Page 2

Conclusion of the Study

The purpose of the study was to show a correlation and relationship between exposure to community violence and its affects and the allowance of proclivity to drug and sexual risk behaviors under a low monitored and controlled environment. Due to evidential studies the allowance of high levels of deviance and criminality is increased because of low control, monitoring and peer pressure to fit in socially and perform acts by emulation and role channeling.

My Opinion/thoughts about the study

My opinion of the study is that the methodology reflects a sad thought that because of poverty and the criminal element in a community that many youth are lost and are unable to be saved from a life of crime, deviance and paths to drugs. Lack of social control and monitoring is hard even in the most best of climates and environments and a challenge to all of society to keep youth from deviating down paths of no return.