Margaret Beyer

In the following viewpoint, Margaret Beyer argues that military- style boot camps for young offenders will not reduce juvenile crime. These camps are ineffective because they fail to provide nurturing or promote independence, Beyer contends. In addition, she asserts, boot camps ignore teenagers’ desire for fairness and their resistance to imposed structure. Beyer claims that approaches to juvenile crime that focus on empowering and encouraging youths are preferable to boot camps. Beyer is a psychologist based in Washington, D.C., who works with juvenile delinquents and their families.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What are Paul DeMuro’s criticisms of boot camps, as cited by Beyer"

2. According to the author, what is the recidivism rate of the boot camps in Florida and Ohio"

3. Why is young...