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What is Juvenile Delinquency?

1. Juvenile delinquency is the broad-based term given to juveniles who commit crimes. Juveniles are defined as those people who haven’t reached adulthood or the age of majority.

2. Juvenile delinquency does not have a constant or definite meaning. According to some psychologists, delinquents are those, whose pattern of adjustment, is contrary to the accepted rules. Some say that delinquents are those who violate the law, habitually disobedient

3. When a child, anyone under the age of majority, commits a crime, most frequently they are tried and sentenced through a court system separate from that which tries adults. There are also confinement centers, in other words, prisons, specifically designed for children who commit serious crimes. These are often called juvenile detention centers.

4. In many societies, another way to attack the problem of juvenile delinquency is by creating programs that help prevent children from committing crimes. These programs may focus on avoiding drug use or gang involvement, or may focus on early education, therapeutic help for families, help to the impoverished or a variety of other things.

5. The largest, and most common risk factor is the demise of the family life and the increase in family violence. Some say that the manner in which you are raised determines how you will be when you grow up. So, doesn’t it make sense to say that if you were raised poorly, you would be more prone to run into problems such as crime as you grow up? Between the 1970’s and early 1990’s, the number of juveniles living in poverty has grown largely for a number of reasons. This factor alone has caused a noticeable increase in crimes by juveniles. Many of these juvenile criminals also said to have been abused or neglected.

The most effective way to prevent juvenile delinquency has indisputably been to assist children and their families early on. Numerous state programs attempt early intervention, and federal funding for community initiatives has allowed independent groups to tackle the problem in new ways. The most effective programs share the following key components:

Education

This is particularly important in an era where youth are barraged with sexual and violent images. Educational programs have the underlying intent of encouraging hope and opening up opportunities for young people.

Recreation

One of the immediate benefits of recreational activities is that they fill unsupervised after-school hours. The Department of Education has reported that youths are most likely to commit crimes between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., with crime rates peaking at 3 p.m. Recreation programs allow youths to connect with other adults and children in the community. Such positive friendships may assist children in later years. Youth programs are designed to fit the personalities and skills of different children and may include sports, dancing, music, rock climbing, drama, karate, bowling, art, and other activities.

Community Involvement

Girl scouts, boy scouts, church youth groups, and volunteer groups all involve youth within a community. Involvement in community groups provide youth with an opportunity to interact in a safe social environment.