Elaboration on the Project
The Chicago Area Project was developed by Clifford Shaw who was a sociologist from the University of Chicago. In a bid to reduce juvenile delinquency, Shaw came up with an innovative approach which he trusted would help in reducing crimes amongst juveniles (Sorrentino, 1959). During those times, gangs plagued the city and there was a massive gang influence on youths. In 1934, Shaw determined four major areas which he believed crime rates were highest. Shaw then rallied parents, neighbors and local leaders within each community and created several programs which created a positive impact for the youth. Through these programs, the leaders reached out to the many youths who had for long felt abandoned. They listened to them and through counseling; many youths who were initially involved in gang activities were recruited in various capacities to meet the needs of the community and as role models to the other youths (Sorrentino, 1959). More significantly, Shaw sought out the ex-convicts and involved those in community programs which could help prevent juvenile delinquency.
Was the Project Effective in Dealing with Juvenile Delinquency?
This paper establishes that the Chicago Area Project effectively dealt with juvenile delinquency in several ways. The idea behind Shaw's thesis was that communities could help themselves through the unified actions of several residents and come up with their own solutions for solving the community problems. Since then, the Chicago Area Project has created community involvement practices such as resident empowerment, restorative justice, community organizations, and leadership development; concepts which have created positive impact not just in the United States but all over the world. The Chicago Area Project has successfully implemented principles which are used to identify and support indigenous leaders who can help in organizing and motivating local residents to take responsibility for the positive development of the juvenile. Right from its inception, the project has grown into more than fifty-five special projects and affiliates and has reached another forty communities. Each affiliate is an independent program based on the communities to which it belongs.
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How Could the Project be More Effective in Dealing with Juvenile Delinquency?
From my perspective, the project was effective in dealing with juvenile delinquency. Even so, several things could still be done to make it more effective. For example, extensive partnerships with schools, law departments, and student development would make the program to help in identifying behavioral problems amongst the youths and shed more light on how complex problems such as involvement in drugs can be dealt with. While the program has largely been used to provide social services such as training programs and job placement, it can still be used to do more in terms of getting youths involved in sports and talent activities. This is because most of the youths who engage in gang activities are normally idle and are not engaged.
The Disadvantages of the Project
In my view, the Chicago Area Project does not have a lot of disadvantages. Perhaps what I can point out as a disadvantage is the fact that the program only dealt with few areas and thus locking out many youths from other areas who could benefit from the program. The program has a positive impact on the youth and if this could be extended to other areas then it would be of more importance.
What Inspired the Project?
The project was inspired by the research of sociologists who sought to get a solution to juvenile delinquency which had become a big problem of the time. Shaw believed that the problem with youth gang was a result of the deteriorating neighborhood which existed in the industrial city. Through his research, Shaw determined that there were psychological explanations of delinquency and for that reason; he aimed at reforming individual delinquents through counseling programs.
Reference
Sorrentino, A. (1959). The Chicago area project after 25 years. Fed. Probation , 23 , 40.
