In the Matter of Family v. Delinquency: Parental Experiences with Juvenile Court

Abstract

The juvenile justice system has long considered the importance of the role of parents in child development and responding to delinquency. The critical role of parenting in the life of a child is even reflected in the guiding principle of juvenile courts known as parens patriae or “state as benevolent parent,” whereby establishing a substitute parental agent in cases in which one is not deemed available or effective. Although substantial research on parent and child engagement and connectedness across developmental stages suggests parents serve an important protective/rehabilitative function, little is known about actual parental roles and experiences once their child comes in contact with the juvenile justice system. This chapter explores expected parental roles, barriers to those roles, and experiences of parents across four critical points of contact in the juvenile justice system: initial contact, plea bargaining, courts and adjudication, and disposition and detention/probation. In reviewing this literature, we offer suggestions for future research as well as potential policy and practice considerations.KeywordsJuvenile justiceJuvenile courtParentsEngagementRoles