Morality and homicide among young killers1

Abstract

Morality among juveniles convicted of homicide is approached through balance or polarity, while self-empowerment becomes central for accounts. Feelings are analyzed as a source of plausible grounds for acting, though not necessarily suited to or legitimate according to a conventional code of behavior. Fear, in a sense of despair and menace, and rage, connected to power and excitement, were recurrent. Perceptions of self-enhancement and polarity rather than balance, without belittling the victim or presenting her as disreputable, marked a trend. Punishment was often linked to deprivation of contacts with family, suggesting social relevance of relatives, particularly women, in killings and accounts. A novel approach is suggested for assessing moral claims in homicides by juveniles, addressed to alternative audiences beyond the criminal justice system.