Here is a very logical, and practical means of understanding delinquency, the drop-out rate, and even gang violence. It it a famous human behavioral model by a dude named Maslow. It’s called a “ladder” because it is said every human starts out at the bottom and, with the right support system (as well as hard work, of course), climbs upward to life success.

See the red arrow I added? This is where most at risk kids fall.. somewhere between having their physiological needs met, and having decent health. The red “X” I drew covers all the things in life these kids simply can not realize due to the absence of the items below. See the green area? Respect of others and self? This answers the question we ask of senseless violence: “How could they DO such a thing?” Because they don’t respect you.  Because they don’t respect themselves. Because they have no family or a dysfunctional one, and no real friends.. and the list goes on.

Hence, when one considers that delinquency, violent crime, etc are all EFFECTS of much deeper causes (such as the absence of love, family, belonging, self respect, self esteem, creativity, employment, etc etc), one begins to understand why youths are “disengaged,” and lack respect for others and their property.

This is a good place to start dialog on youth violence and delinquency. This is how to focus on CAUSES and not EFFECTS. This is where the City of Sacramento and Roger Dickinson should start if they TRULY want to reduce youth crime in Sacramento

Joe’s .02