Identifying and exploring the challenges in understanding and responding to youth crime, this book investigates the different contexts which contribute to youth offending as well as those which either help or hinder effective youth justice responses to it. Supporting readers to evaluate traditional understandings and responses to youth offending, this critical, evidence-based text engages with a variety of international case studies, practical examples and expert perspectives from academic researchers in the field. Delving into theoretical, conceptual, empirical, policy and practice issues, Youth Offending in Context will be of great value to students of youth justice, youth offending, youth crime, crime prevention, and criminal justice.