Youth violence has become one of the most contentious and perplexing issues in recent debates on crime policy. Youth gangs have become increasingly associated in the public eye with drug-dealing, firearms and random violence. Magazines publish stories on "superpredators" and warn that demographic change will lead to an explosion of predatory violence. Congress provides billions to the states as an incentive to get tough with juvenile offenders, including the effective abolition of the juvenile court. Developmental researchers seek to identify the aspects of childhood that either lead to, or prevent, juvenile crime. This study provides an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of policy issues and research developments concerning crime and violence among the young.