Explaining Ethan Couch

Ethan Couch (pictured on p.25 of your e-text) is the teenager whose drunk driving killed 4 people in 2013.  His case caused public outrage because of the seriousness of his conduct, his lack of remorse, and lightness of his sentence – private residential drug treatment and 10 years on probation.  At Couch’s original trial, a psychologist hired by his defense team famously testified that the teen was a product of “affluenza” and was unable to link his bad behavior with consequences because of his parents teaching him that wealth buys privilege.  Couch recently made headlines for a second time, when he violated his terms of probation and fled with his mother to Mexico to avoid imprisonment.

In this assignment, you are to find out as much as you can about the personal life of Ethan Couch: his childhood, family and peer relations, school experiences, history of substance abuse, etc.  Then review your eText,  Chapters 3, 4 and 5,  and select ONE theory of delinquency that best explains Couch’s behavior.   (You might even consider a parallel to “Affluenza Theory” among the many choices.)  Articulate why the facts you learned about Couch fit this particular theory.  Be sure to use reliable sources (not Wikipedia or sensationalized websites) and cite them according to APA format. Instructions for APA citation can be found in “Course Information.”  The assignment must be at least 600 words in length and is due at the end of Week 5.

Please use text Juvenile Delinquency: The Core

and read BioSocial theory Chpt 3 pg 75