NCJ Number
191999
Journal
Criminology Volume: 39 Issue: 4 Dated: 34 Pages: 933-968
Date Published
November 2001
Length
36 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether three prominent structural factors influenced intercity variation in firearm-related homicide rates among Black and white juveniles.
Abstract
The analysis focused on the structural variables of concentrated disadvantage, racial inequality, and the youth illicit drug market activity. The data came from the 109 cities that had at least 100,000 persons in 1990, at least 3,500 Black and 3,500 white juveniles aged 17 or less, and valid data for all variables included in the analysis. The dependent variables were gun-related homicide offense rates for Black and white juveniles aged 14-17 years, as calculated from the Supplementary Homicide Reports. The study used 11 variables to measure socioeconomic disadvantage, racial inequality, and juvenile drug market participation. Control variables included city population, divorced males, and the region variables of south and west. Findings provided partial support for the concentrated disadvantage and juvenile drug market explanations of homicide. However, contrary to expectations, these relationships were significant only in models for white juveniles. Tables, footnotes, and 77 references (Author abstract modified)