A Case Study of Juvenile Delinquency

A Case Study of
Juvenile
Delinquency
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Juvenile delinquency
Juvenile delinquency is participation in
illegal behavior by minors (juveniles)
who fall under a statutory age limit.
Most legal systems prescribe specific
procedures for dealing with juveniles,
such as juvenile detention centers. There
are a multitude of different theories on
the causes of crime, most if not all of
which can be applied to the causes of
youth crime. Youth crime is an aspect of
crime which receives great attention
from the news media and politicians.
The level and types of youth crime can
2
be used by commentators as an indicator

of the general state of morality and law
and order in a country, and consequently
youth crime can be the source of moral
panics .
A juvenile delinquent is a person who is
typically under the age of 18 and
commits an act that otherwise would've
been charged as a crime if they were an
adult. Juvenile delinquents sometimes
have associated mental disorders and/or
behavioral issues such as post traumatic
stress disorder or bipolar disorder, and
are sometimes diagnosed with conduct
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disorder partially as both the cause and

resulting effects of their behaviors.
7.2. What is Juvenile Delinquency?
Children often test the limits and
boundaries set by their parents and other
authority figures. Among adolescents,
some rebelliousness and experimentation
is common. However, a few children
consistently participate in problematic
behaviors that negatively affect their
family, academic, social, and personal
functioning. These children present great
concern to parents and the community at
large. The prevention of delinquency
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requires identifying at-risk individuals

and their environments before delinquent
activity and behavior occur, and then
removing
such
risk
factors
or
strengthening resistance to the risk

factors already present. The most logical
starting place for prevention efforts is the
family.
7.3. Causes of juvenile:
A) Juvenile sex crimes
Juveniles who commit sexual crimes
refer to individuals adjudicated in a
criminal court for a sexual crime. Sex
crimes are defined as sexually abusive
behavior committed by a person under
5
the age of 18 that is perpetrated against

the victims will, without consent, and in
an
aggressive,
exploitative,
manipulative, or threatening manner. It

is
important
to
utilize
appropriate
terminology for juvenile sex offenders.

Harsh and inappropriate expressions
include terms such as pedophile, child
molester, predator, perpetrator, and miniperp These terms have often been
associated with this group, regardless of
the youths age, diagnosis, cognitive
abilities, or developmental stage. Using
appropriate expressions can facilitate a
more accurate depiction of juvenile sex
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offenders
subsequent
and
may
aversive
decrease
the
psychological
affects from using such labels.

B ) Family Influence
Vitaro, Brendgen, and Tremblay suggest
that those theorists who believe in the
peer influence model also tend to support
the belief that family has a strong
influence on the development of positive
or delinquent behavior. They state:
Some researchers used measures such as
parental
control,
discipline,
or
supervision (i.e., monitoring), whereas

other
researchers
focused
on
the
affective nature of the parentchild

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relationship (i.e., attachment, closeness,

acceptance, and rejection). A number of
studies examined the moderating role of
each
dimension
separately
with
conflicting results.
In fact, they go so far as to state that
family influence can be much more
powerful than the influence of ones
peers. This suggests that a positive
family influence with strong emotional
bonding and positive communication
strategies can mitigate the influence of
deviant peers in a young persons life.
They clarify this by stating that the
family type is also extremely important
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and children/youth from non-traditional

families (single parent, reconstituted)
have a far greater chance of engaging in
delinquent behavior than children/youth
from
traditional
families.
For
nontraditional families, there was a

significant
relationship
between
delinquency and cohesion

In terms of family influence, there may
be some validity to the notion that nontraditional families have a more difficult
time raising children. There is often the
problem of being a single parent which
means economic resources are stretched
to the limit and the parent likely has far
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less time to spend with their children. A

single parent also has the added pressure
of trying to provide emotional support
for all the children in addition to being
the economic support. Reconstituted
families can experience difficulties in the
arena of communications and emotional
support. Children of divorced parents
often face emotional conflicts regarding
their allegiance to either one or both of
their parents. They also face a difficulty
in scheduling time with their parents and
the adjustment to new influences when
their biological parents remarry. The
authors state the following: children
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and adolescents who experience family

disturbances
due
to
divorce
and
remarriage typically demonstrate higher

levels
of
aggressive,
defiant,
and
delinquent behavior. One explanation is

that marital breakup produces conditions
and consequences that have an adverse
effect on children. We cannot always
place the blame on parents. But the
structure within the family household
could
determine
the
extent
of
delinquency manifested by a juvenile.

Family
relationships,
duties,
responsibilities and privileges, and the

amount
of
control
exercised
over
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children all play roles in forming

character and influencing behavior. The
attitudes and actions of parents can
create an important influence in the lives
of children. Families in crisis will most
likely affect the behavior of juveniles. If
one member of a family becomes sick,
schizophrenic, or alcoholic, a child may
react based on the familys structural
problems. Psychologist Eric Berman
gives a cogent description of a family in
crisis and the effect on a child. The
family is, therefore, an important factor
in the forces that determine delinquency.
The family determines a childs class,
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structure, and development, and the

nourishing process is vital to formation
of a childs development. Family exerts
the most influence on a human being.
Any severe disturbance in one or both
parents
can
produce
devastating
negative impact on a juvenile.

The family influence on roles and norms
which juveniles follow comes through
the
socialization
process
that
the
individual experiences as part of the

family culture. We could assume that
children or juveniles would conform
strictly to the rules taught in the family
setting. However, that does not always
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work out. Adolescents and even adults

deviate from rules. The single parent
family setting could still prepare the
child for family roles, but it was less
effective in preparing children for their
adult roles in society and the community.
In most cases, is one-parent family,
whether the result of divorce, desertion
or death, consists of a mother and
children living together. The mother
often finds it difficult to provide
sustenance
and
guidance,
and
the
absence of a father leaves the male

children without an adult male role
model. Absence of family as a unit could
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affect childhood and how children

socialize. Where the family fails, other
socializing agencies will take on an
increasing role in a childs life.
Race as a Factor in Delinquent Behavior:
A great deal of the literature on race and
juvenile suggests a connection between
race and the juvenile justice system. The
question that is often raised is; does the
juvenile justice system treat boys and
girls of color in a less equitable manner
than White boys and girls involved with
the juvenile justice system. There is
probably no factor in peoples lives that
is as deeply contested as that of the issue
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of race. The suggestion that race may be

a factor in the development of delinquent
behavior is one that must be considered
carefully.
C) Individual Risk Factors
Several risk factors are identified
with juvenile delinquency. A minor who

has a lower intelligence and who does
not receive a proper education is more
prone to become involved in delinquent
conduct. Other risk factors include
impulsive
behavior,
uncontrolled
aggression and an inability to delay

gratification. In many instances, multiple
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individual risk factors can be identified

as
contributing
to
juvenile's
involvement in harmful, destructive and

illegal activities.
D) Family Risk Factors
A consistent pattern of family risk
factors
are
associated
with
the
development of delinquent behavior in

young people. These family risk factors
include a lack of proper parental
supervision, ongoing parental conflict,
neglect
and
abuse
(emotional,
psychological or physical). Parents who

demonstrate a lack of respect for the law
and social norms are likely to have
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children who think similarly. Finally,

those children that display the weakest
attachment to their parents and families
are precisely the same juveniles who
engage
in
inappropriate
activities,
including delinquent conduct.

E) Mental Health Risk Factors
Several mental health factors are also
seen
as
contributing
to
juvenile
delinquency. It is important to keep in

mind, however, that a diagnosis of
certain
types
of
mental
conditions--primarily
health
personality
disorders--cannot be made in regard to

child. However, there are precursors of
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these conditions that can be exhibited in

childhood that tend to end up being
displayed through delinquent behavior. A
common
one
is
conduct
disorder.
Conduct disorder is defined as "a lack of

empathy and disregard for societal
norms."
(Diagnostic
and
Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth

Edition, American Psychiatric Social
disorganization
Current
positivist
approaches generally focus on the

culture. A type of criminological theory
attributing
variation
in
crime
and
delinquency over time and among

territories to the absence or breakdown
19
of communal institutions (e.g. family,

school, church and social groups.) and
communal relationships that traditionally
encouraged
cooperative
relationships
among people.Association, 2004.)

7.4. How does juvenile behavior become
delinquent? And when?
For the past few years, broken homes, a
childs family position, and family size
have been the subjects of considerable
study in the crime and delinquency field.
In 1950, there were 40.5 million children
living in homes containing both a father
and a mother, and 4.1 million children
living in broken homes. According to the
20
U.S. Census Bureau, in 1970 there were

7.6 million minors (under eighteen years
of age) growing up without one or both
parents. In 1960, one of every four black
families was headed by a woman who
was
divorced,
separated
from
her
husband, or abandoned. In 1972, almost

one out of every three black families was
without a father, compared to one in ten
for whites. In this new millennium, the
syndrome is no longer confined to lowincome families or black families.
Todays
middle
class
increasingly
resembles the low-income family of the

early 1960s. With the increase in such
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patterns as divorces (in 1996, one in

every three marriages ended in divorce),
separations
and
working
mothers,
children are increasingly being entrusted

to daycare centers, neighbors, home
alone and the television. Child-rearing
patterns have, thus, undergone drastic
changes.
7.5.
Family
Factor
that
Causes
Delinquency
Discipline is another interrelated part of
family
relationships
that
affects
delinquency. Disturbed family relations

play a very important role in the problem
of delinquency. In an investigation of
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high-delinquency areas in New York

City, Craig and Glick found three factors
related
to
increased
likelihood
of
delinquency: 1) careless or inadequate

supervision by the mother or surrogate
mother; 2) erratic or overly strict
discipline; and 3) lack of cohesiveness of
the family unit.
Sheldon and Glueck found that 4.1
percent of fathers were found to use
sound discipline practices; 26.7 percent,
fair; and 69.3 percent, unsound. The
types
of
discipline
practices
were
described as follows:
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Sound - Consistent and firm control but

not so strict as to arouse fear and
antagonism.
Unsound - Extremely lax or extremely
rigid control by the parents, which, on
the one hand, gives unrestrained freedom
of action and, on the other hand, restricts
to the point of rebellion.
7.6. Juvenile Court:

The juvenile courts still hold broad
powers over children. These powers
include the right to depart from legal
procedures
established
for
criminal
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courts and to deny to children and their

parents privileges normally accorded
defendants in civil courts. The juvenile
court
may,
for
example,
consider
evidence that would be inadmissible in

both criminal and civil courts. The
justification
offered
for
this
vast
delegation of power over children is that

it is essential if the court is to determine
how best to rehabilitate the child and
how to provide adequate care for him.
According to the standards suggested by
the United States Department of Health,
Education and Welfare, if a juvenile
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court is to become fully effective, it must

have the following:
1) a judge and a staff identified with and
capable of carrying out a non-punitive
and individualized service.
2) Sufficient facilities must be available
in the court and the community to
ensure:
____a) that the dispositions of the court
are
based
on
the
best
available
knowledge of the needs of the child,

____b) that the child, if he needs care
and treatment, receives these through
facilities adapted to his/her needs and
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from persons properly qualified and

empowered to give them,
____c) That the community receives
adequate protection.
3) Procedures designed to ensure:
____a) that each child and his situation
are considered individually,
____b) that the legal and constitutional
rights of both parents and child and those
of the community are duly considered
and protected
7.7. Remedy
For the remedies of juvenile delinquency
following efforts must be taken:
i.
Family counseling
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ii. Parenting education

iii. Youth mentoring
iv. Educational support
v. Abuse education and treatment
vi. Youth sheltering
vii. Teaching the social and religious
values to young generation
With the development of delinquency in
youth being influenced by numerous
factors,
prevention efforts must comprehensive
in scope.
As it is difficult for state like Pakistan to
provide the financial resources necessary
for the remedies of juvenile delinquency
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it is necessary that NGOs, communities

must work in collaboration with each
other to prevent juvenile delinquency.
Delinquency Prevention is the broad
term for all efforts aimed at preventing
youth
from
becoming
involved
in
criminal, or other antisocial, activity.

Increasingly,
governments
are
recognizing the importance of allocating

resources
for
the
prevention
of
delinquency.
Because it is often difficult for states to
provide the fiscal resources necessary for
good
prevention,
communities,
and
organizations,
governments
are
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working more in collaboration with each

other to prevent juvenile delinquency.
With the development of delinquency in
youth being influenced by numerous
factors,
prevention
efforts
are
comprehensive in scope. Prevention

services
include
activities
such
as
substance abuse education and treatment,

family counseling, youth mentoring,
parenting education, educational support,
and
youth
sheltering.
Increasing
availability and use of family planning

services,
including
contraceptives
helps
education
to
and
reduce
unintended pregnancy and unwanted

30
births, which are risk factors for

delinquency.
Under above this opinion that, the
juvenile delinquency has been created
the
family
because
as
result
of
disintegration of the family. So every

person is careful that any how there is no
born of child in family without lack of
love her father & mother.
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A Case Study of

be used by commentators as an indicator

disorder partially as both the cause and

requires identifying at-risk individuals

strengthening resistance to the risk

the age of 18 that is perpetrated against

manipulative, or threatening manner. It

terminology for juvenile sex offenders.

affects from using such labels.

supervision (i.e., monitoring), whereas

affective nature of the parentchild

relationship (i.e., attachment, closeness,

and children/youth from non-traditional

nontraditional families, there was a

delinquency and cohesion

less time to spend with their children. A

and adolescents who experience family

remarriage typically demonstrate higher

delinquent behavior. One explanation is

delinquency manifested by a juvenile.

responsibilities and privileges, and the

children all play roles in forming

structure, and development, and the

negative impact on a juvenile.

individual experiences as part of the

work out. Adolescents and even adults

absence of a father leaves the male

affect childhood and how children

of race. The suggestion that race may be

Several risk factors are identified

with juvenile delinquency. A minor who

aggression and an inability to delay

individual risk factors can be identified

involvement in harmful, destructive and

A consistent pattern of family risk

development of delinquent behavior in

psychological or physical). Parents who

children who think similarly. Finally,

including delinquent conduct.

delinquency. It is important to keep in

disorders--cannot be made in regard to

these conditions that can be exhibited in

Conduct disorder is defined as "a lack of

Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth

approaches generally focus on the

delinquency over time and among

of communal institutions (e.g. family,

among people.Association, 2004.)

U.S. Census Bureau, in 1970 there were

husband, or abandoned. In 1972, almost

resembles the low-income family of the

patterns as divorces (in 1996, one in

children are increasingly being entrusted

delinquency. Disturbed family relations

high-delinquency areas in New York

delinquency: 1) careless or inadequate

Sound - Consistent and firm control but

7.6. Juvenile Court:

courts and to deny to children and their

evidence that would be inadmissible in

delegation of power over children is that

court is to become fully effective, it must

knowledge of the needs of the child,