Berger, Eirik Jerven, Willy Pedersen, and Sveinung Sandberg. “Pathways to Drug Dealing in the Middle and Upper Classes: Early Marginalization, Relative Disadvantage and Countercultural Opposition.” The British Journal of Criminology, vol. 63, no. 4, 2023, pp. 889-905.
The piece explores the risky behaviors demonstrated by privileged adolescents. More specifically, the article highlights why teenagers decide to engage in stealing, drug dealing, and violence. The article was written by Berger and colleagues and published in an online journal, The British Journal of Criminology. The work was made public in 2023, making it a new source.
The online publication can be used in an essay about privileged adolescents and their shoplifting behaviors since it stresses the role of emotional and psychological factors. At first sight, young people’s need for independence is a determinant of behavior that leads to crimes (Berger et al. 889). However, the influence of other people, such as individuals with criminal records, can cause adolescents to engage in dealing, stealing, and using violence (Berger et al. 889). Thus, the work helps readers understand that privileged and wealthy adolescents are not immune to emotional or psychological challenges and that a desire for autonomy and pressure from others can influence their actions.
Clair, Matthew. Privilege and Punishment: How Race and Class Matter in Criminal Court. Princeton University Press, 2022.
This e-book is dedicated to discussing adolescents from privileged backgrounds and the reasons why they engage in dangerous behaviors. Through a series of recollections and interviews, readers can observe the paths chosen by teenagers from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. The book was written by Matthew Clair and published by Princeton University Press. The source was made public in 2022, making it a new source.
When delving deeper into stories illuminated in the source, it becomes evident that some details and pieces can be used in an essay discussing shoplifting and privileged adolescents. For instance, the author describes an adolescent named Ryan who chose a path of risky behavior under peer pressure. As Clair describes, he was charged with driving under the influence and shoplifting, “crimes that stem from his addiction to alcohol and other drugs” (Clair 33). As a result, reviewing such cases can emphasize the role the environment plays in adolescents’ decisions to engage in shoplifting.
Morrison, Joshua N. “Stealing Fame: Lifestyle Celebrity and the Dubious Cultural Politics of Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring.” Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, volume 17, issue 2, 2020, pages 149–165.
The article focuses on the obsession with the celebrity lifestyle, which influences the public and dictates what is acceptable and what is not. From this perspective, the source demonstrates to what extent individuals can go to imitate the same lifestyle and achieve the same status. Joshua N. Morrison wrote the piece for the reputable journal Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies. The article was made public in 2020 and remains relevant today.
Morris’s work can be applied in an essay to show how privileged adolescents engage in risky behaviors to emulate their idols. The Bling Ring, a movie directed by Sofia Coppola and based on a true story of adolescent celebrities who become criminals, was released in 2013 (Morris 149). By relying on this movie, the author shows how it presents the desire for celebrity status as risky and careless (Morris 149). In this case, a sense of entitlement and pressure can lead adolescents to seek thrills through shoplifting and other illegal activities.
Pechmann, Cornelia, Jesse R. Catlin, and Yu Zheng. “Facilitating Adolescent Well‐being: A Review of the Challenges and Opportunities and the Beneficial Roles of Parents, Schools, Neighborhoods, and Policymakers.” Journal of Consumer Psychology, vol. 30, no. 1, 2020, pp. 149-177.
The article discusses factors that contribute to delinquent behavior among adolescents. Moreover, the source conveys the message that various stakeholders are involved in causing such behavior and can prevent it. The article was written by Pechmann and colleagues and published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, a reputable journal. Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the source was made public in 2020.
When discussing its applicability in an essay, it is crucial to examine how the source emphasizes the role of advocacy and support systems in reducing high-risk behaviors among adolescents. By raising adolescents’ learning goals, educational institutions can help prevent risky behaviors by enabling their teenage students to achieve high scores and move on to the next grade (Pechmann et al., 160). Overall, by promoting academic excellence and supporting privileged children, risky behaviors such as shoplifting can be minimized.
Romm, Katelyn F., Carolyn McNamara Barry, and Lauren M. Alvis. “How the Rich Get Riskier: Parenting and Higher-SES Emerging Adults’ Risk Behaviors.” Journal of Adult Development, vol. 27, 2020, pp. 281-293.
The journal article focuses on the development and upbringing of adolescents in privileged households. More specifically, how children in such families are affected by their parents’ higher expectations and pressure. The article was written by Romm and colleagues and published in the reputable journal Journal of Adult Development. The piece is relatively new, having been made public in 2020. The material can be used in an essay since it draws a parallel between low-income families and privileged families.
In comparison to low- and middle-class teenagers, adolescents from higher socioeconomic status exhibit more risky behaviors to cope with the pressures of striving to meet their parents’ high expectations for success (Romm et al. 281). Moreover, the article emphasizes that emerging adults are often involved in a range of risky behaviors, such as gambling, self-harm, using prescription drugs without authorization, and using marijuana (Romm et al. 281). Additionally, shoplifting is among the risky behaviors teenagers engage in (Romm et al. 281). Therefore, the article can help describe the motives behind such behaviors.