Delinquency, Deviance, and Tolerance in a Slum in India: A Quantitative Model

Abstract

Slum neighborhoods are often associated with juvenile delinquency and other forms of deviance. This has been linked to the level of social or family tolerance. A measure known as Tolerance Quotient (TQ) has been suggested in the literature for measuring such tolerance of deviant behavior. This paper attempts to build a quantitative model of the TQ. Children (N = 100) and parents (N = 100) from a slum neighborhood in Delhi, India were interviewed for information on juvenile deviance and parental reactions. The results indicate the importance and utility of measuring and applying TQ to subcultural settings.

Keywords:

• Tolerance
• Deviance
• Social Tolerance
• Slums
• Deviance and Children

Additional information

Notes on contributors

M. Z. Khan

M. Z. Khan retired as a Professor of Social Work from Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, India.

N. Prabha Unnithan

N. Prabha Unnithan is a Professor of Sociology at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado and Editor of the Social Science Journal.

Archana Dassi

Archana Dassi is a Reader in Social Work at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, India.