Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to

  • Explain the commonalities of all critical theories
  • Summarize labeling theory’s origins and key concepts
  • Outline the major conflict theories of delinquency and their key concepts
  • Identify multiple feminist theories and their respective emphases
  • Assess how critical theories address the relationship among race, ethnicity, social class, gender, sexuality, and delinquency
  • Analyze the relevance of critical theories of delinquency to public policy