|
When a juvenile or a minor commits a crime, it's a delinquent act. However, not all delinquent acts are considered a crime when committed by an adult. An example of a delinquent act could be as simple as loitering. Anything that is considered a crime for an adult would be considered a delinquent act. Examples include: drinking alcohol or use of illicit substances, gambling, running away from home, sexual activity, smoking, or truancy from school.
Family Based Programs for Preventing and Reducing Juvenile Crime
|
|
There is no confirmed answer or cause of juvenile delinquency, however there are some common causes and contributing factors.
- Lack of Moral Guidance -- Positive parental or other adult influence and guidance is one of the most effective ways to prevent delinquency. However, the lack of moral guidance is one of the most common contributing factors of juvenile delinquency. Remember, it's never too late to show a juvenile the difference between right and wrong through leading by example.
- Peer Pressure -- Peer pressure from friends, classmates, or even siblings can affect the way a child behaves in different situations. If peers are stealing from a gas station, the juvenile is more likely to steal as well. Similarly, if a child's close peers encourage antisocial behavior or violence, the child is more likely to rebel against laws and reject social norms. To avoid this, get to know your child's peers and their respective caregivers.
- Poor School Attendance -- While poor school attendance doesn't necessarily cause juvenile delinquency, it can be a contributing factor. School requires a routine and rule-following which can be difficult for at-risk youth. Children without this support and encouragement to attend school will likely start missing class which can cause them to miss out on valuable lessons, education, and the habits that are often formed at school.
- Socioeconomic Factors -- Socioeconomic factors, such as poor educational standards, living in a lower income neighborhood, or growing up in a family trapped in the poverty cycle may also have an impact on juvenile delinquency.
- Substance Abuse/Misuse -- Substance abuse or misuse by a minor is certainly a contributing factor to juvenile delinquency, but it's important to note that substance abuse/misuse in the home can also be a contributing factor to juvenile delinquency.
- Violence in the Home -- Violence at home is one of the most common contributing factors to juvenile delinquency. Lashing out and committing crimes or acts of violence towards others is a very common reaction to experiencing violence at home.
- Violence in their Social Circles -- Likewise to violence at home, children who are subject to violent cultures or behavior are more likely to become violent and commit delinquent acts.
Resource Library from the Youth Law Center
|
|
Juvenile delinquency is more than mischievous pranks; delinquent acts can be as serious as drug-related offenses, property crimes, or crimes against another person. Prevention involves early detection and immediate intervention.
- Early Childhood Identifiers -- Abnormal/slow development of basic skills, chronic violation of the rules, serious aggressive behavior toward other students or teachers.
- Mental Health Challenges -- Dealing with a mental illness does not make someone engage in delinquent behaviors, but it can be a risk factor or impact a child's judgment and reasoning, impulse control, or other traits that, without proper management or intervention, may lead to delinquency.
- Authoritarian Parenting -- Authoritarian parenting, as well as lax, inconsistent, or neglectful parenting are all risk factors that may lead to juvenile delinquency.
- Low Socioeconomic Status -- Parents or guardians struggling financially may lack the time or resources to provide supervision, and lower income neighborhoods tend to correlate to poorly funded schools; thus children from lower income families may not get the exposure to opportunities, friend groups, or even recreational activities that might help prevent delinquent behavior.
- Peer Association -- Youth, particularly ages 12-14 are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior when associated with antisocial peers.
- Peer Rejection -- Children who are lacking positive, healthy attachments, role models, or peer influences can be at higher risk of gravitating toward risk behaviors like drug use or antisocial activities.
- Poor School Performance -- While there are many factors that may contribute to poor academic performance, asking about your child's academic performance and having an open conversation may reveal other underlying risk factors.
Juvenile Delinquency Prevention
|
|
Before there ends up being police involvement with a delinquent minor, there are many resources available to help parents/caregivers and teachers deal with delinquent behavior or at-risk behavior.
- One of the easiest ways parents and teachers can work to prevent juvenile delinquency is to encourage engagement in school and their education. Education promotes:
- Social cohesion
- Helps children and kids of all ages learn to make positive/healthy decisions
- Teaches self-control
- Instills healthy habits
- Five healing gestures that can make a difference in an at-risk child's life:
- Celebrate even the small wins and use put-ups rather than put-downs.
- Comfort when needed while remaining calm and patient.
- Collaborate with kids and ask for their opinions.
- Listen to them and show a genuine interest in their passions.
- Inspire by exposing them to new ideas.
- Specific services you might look for when working with a child to keep them from becoming a delinquent offender:
- Family Counseling
- Individual Counseling
- Parenting Education
- Substance Abuse Treatment
|
|
|
