A productive study was conducted to explore communication problems in juvenile delinquents.

There were forty-five female participants residing at a correctional institution for adjudicated youths. Ages of the participants ranged from fourteen to eighteen years. They had to be convicted of committing one or more misdemeanor or felony offenses. Twenty-nine of the participants were Caucasian, six were Native American,

Although youths agreed on appropriate topics of conversation, they seemed to focus more of gangs, drugs, violence, racism, pregnancy, abuse, and sex. Many of the participants knew a lot about violence in movies, television programs, and rap music. They tended to initiate topics, which were related to violet acts. Also, a great deal of information was known about gangs, fighting, assaults, shootings, “seeing blood,” getting arrested, and peer pressure to participate in drive-by shootings.

Yet, these behaviors may reflect a preoccupation with gangs, sex, and violence. This connects with the need for dominance and rank with their peers.

The participants constantly commented on the importance of listening and paying attention to others. They were aware that certain behaviors, such as head nodding, provide some important clues to speakers about the interest level of listeners. Also, they knew that acting disinterested by displaying actions like “spacing off” and daydreaming discourages people from talking to one another. Very few of the participants admitted to having problems paying attention and listening. Although, on numerous occasions, the researcher had to repeat several bits of information, due to the poor attention span and listening

The discussion topics among the groups were limited. The researchers limited certain discussions of gangs, violence, and sexual activity. This is done because there is the potential for triggering disruptive behavior. All of the comments were treated confidentially. The only way any information would be shared is if there was an indication of danger to an individual. Only general information was shared between three group counselors for general purposes. Individual names were never used in order to protect the identity of the participants.

Body language used in communicating was evident. The participants knew that their body position and posture could affect communication. Some even made comments regarding the negative messages displayed when classmates slouched or laid their heads down on the tables. Many of them violated the space of others in what appeared to be intentional acts to establish dominance. By the way they commented, this suggested they knew it was easy for them to intimidate other people through body position and posture. For example, one stated, “If you make them sweat, that means you are intimidating them.” They were also aware that they could express rudeness through their body positions. Several even admitted that they would ignore a person or walk away if they do not like them.

Some topics in this essay:
According Patton, Asian American, Falconer Basically, Kovarsky Patton, , Creswell Hammersley, communication skills, juvenile delinquents, poor communication skills, communication behaviors, field notes, research assistant, body position, poor communication, eye contact, body position posture, class periods, gangs sex violence, paying attention, received special education,