The Jukes family and the Kallikak family have been subjects of studies pertaining to the nature versus nurture issue and crime. Current studies have been collected that show that juveniles who are raised in families where family members have been incarcerated have an increased likelihood of following the same path. Are the characteristics of offenders carried down through families? Is it nature or nurture? Look at these studies, and describe the characteristics. Try to explain both sides of the issue (both nature and nurture) that bring out the characteristics of people who are more likely to go to jail. 

You can find information on these 2 families at the following Web sites, but be sure to look at more than just these 2 Web sites:

• http://psychology.jrank.org/pages/356/Kallikak-Family.html
• http://psychology.jrank.org/pages/351/Jukes-Family.html