| This study draws upon thirteen months' research in Hanoi, Vietnam, to evaluate consistency between theory and practice in the Vietnamese juvenile justice system. Vietnamese delinquency textbooks, journal articles, news reports and interviews with ten judges, lawyers and prosecutors are employed to examine whether daily operations in juvenile courts are compatible with stated aims, goals and theories. After months of document review and interaction with court room practitioners, family, school and social environments emerged as the most crucial considerations in Vietnamese delinquency prevention efforts. Statements of practitioners lead to the conclusion that while most of their efforts support the roles given family, school and society, a number of discrepancies remain. These discrepancies are appraised according to social, historical and cultural circumstances. The findings of this study contribute original, valuable insights to a juvenile justice system rarely studied by western social scientists. In addition, the investigation extends vital lessons on conducting cross cultural research in difficult environments or environments where obtaining access is extremely challenging. |
