title: Predictors of support for juvenile sex offender registration: educated individuals recognize the flaws of juvenile registration.
abstract: We investigated demographic predictors of support for juvenile sex offender registration policies, including education level, gender, political orientation, and age. Participants were 168 individuals recruited from public places in a Midwest community (45% women; M age = 42). In line with hypotheses, as education level increased, support for juvenile registration decreased, as did the belief that juvenile registration protects the community. In addition, as education level increased, belief that the juvenile understood his actions decreased, as did support for juvenile registration when it is framed as ineffective at reducing sex crime. These beliefs mediated the relationship between education level and diminished support for juvenile registration. Implications of these results for the advancement of effective juvenile sex offender policy are discussed.
authors: University of Evansville, Evansville, IN 47722, USA. ms446@evansville.edu
authors: Margaret C
authors: MC
authors: Stevenson
authors: Amy C
authors: AC
authors: Smith
authors: Ady
authors: A
authors: Sekely
authors: Katlyn S
authors: KS
authors: Farnum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057237:Criminals / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011640:Public Policy; D012042:Registries; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*