Summarizes trends and issues related to differential institutional handling of youths who are in trouble with the law or who could be if enforcement and judicial systems took note of their behavior. Categories of institutional handling of juveniles are discussed: juvenile correction, child welfare, and mental health. (Author)

An examination of recent data and trends indicates that the American system can be characterized more accurately as a juvenile social control system. Presented on Feb. 22, 1976, at Rutgers University, at the Conference on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (Author)

Juveniles are subject to stricter laws than adults, and to more severe penalties for non-criminal acts than are many adults who commit felonies. Juvenile status offenders are handled through a criminal process rather than through measures which meet their needs. (DM)