This article examines the juvenile court system in the United States and traces its history and philosophy. It goes on to question the concept of "juvenile delinquency" and the validity of such a concept, and looks at the "status" offender. The article presents figures and statistics which pose questions involving the efficacy of the juvenile justice system and its treatment of the young and concludes by presenting some measures which have been suggested by studies set up to establish uniform standards relating to treatment of the young.