Contributing Factors to Juvenile Delinquency - 1620 Words

Juvenile delinquency, according to Agnew and Brezina, is the violation of the law by a minor which is any persons under the age of 18 in most states. There are many contributing factors to juvenile delinquency such as domestic issues or stress at school, and there are also four different theories, strain, social learning, control, and labeling, to explain the different prospective of why it is thought that juveniles commence in delinquent behavior. This particular discussion however, is going to be about the influence of gangs on juvenile delinquency. A general definition of a juvenile gang would be any durable youth group whose involvement in illegal activity is part of the group identity, they will have a unique name, they openly use coercion, aggression, power, force, extortion, and intimidation to achieve their goals, and usually keep some kind of organization. They also have recognizable symbols, claim specific territory and meeting grounds, they are intense and highly loyal t o members, and show intense leadership, authoritarianism, and have a clear hierarchy ( Ribner,31). This will also discuss why juvenile’s look towards gangs in some instances, what the main types of crimes are that are committed, whether gang activity actually causes the delinquent behavior, and how each one of the four main theories explains why gangs have the power to influence juveniles. So why do juvenile’s join gangs? There are many different reasons why juveniles claim they join. Some sayShow MoreRelatedWhen Most People View The Majority Of Juveniles As Rebellious1174 Words   |  5 PagesWhen most people view the majority of juveniles as rebellious kids who are searching for their place in the world, they do not realize that some of these â€Å"rebellious kids† could turn out to be dangerous criminals in the future. Yes, they are searching for their place in the world, but the thing that most people do not realize is that they think have found it through juvenile deviancy, even if they know it is illegal. The definition of a juvenile is someone under age 18. The brain does not fully developRead MoreThe General Strain Theory And Juvenile Delinquency1715 Words   |  7 Pagesimportance in trying to map criminal patterns among individuals involved in criminal behavior, thereby creating a platform for their rehabilitation. The general strain theory ha s had a close connection to juvenile delinquency, as it creates a platform where psychologists can define some of the key factors prompting teenagers and youths to engage in criminal behaviors. According to Zhang (2008), teenagers and youths tend to become highly vulnerable to lack of emotional control attributed to an aspect ofRead MoreJuvenile Crime And Juvenile Delinquency1458 Words   |  6 PagesDay in and day out residents and visitors to the Boston area are affected by juvenile crime and delinquency. Though the crime rates in MA and across the nation are on a steady decline, these juvenile crimes are still considered a serious matter that needs attention. It is thought that juvenile offenders do not cope as well with the criminal justice system as well as adults may be able to and therefore there needs to be a focus on how the system can better aid in the rehabilitation of these youthfulRead MoreFactors Contributing For Criminal Activity Among African Americans1587 Words   |  7 Pagesexperience between the two cities, Ernest W. Burgess, was one of the scholars selected to investigate what was taking place in Chicago communities. Early on, Burgess investigated the seven wards of Chicago where he found that there were high levels of delinquency in the fourth ward which had poor home conditions, poverty, and bad influence on the city’s youth (Gabbidon,2015). As stated in, Criminological Perspectives on Race and Crime by Shaun L Gabbidon, Social Disorganization is the breakdown in equilibriumRead MoreCjs240 Gender and Family828 Words   |  4 PagesGender and Family How does gender affect delinquency? It can be said the males make up the vast majority of the prison population. It can also be said that men are just plain different than women when it comes to ethics, morals, and violence. Whether gender has any influence on whether or not a crime is committed is not fully understood, but there are many theories. What are some current explanations for gender differences as they relate to delinquency? * * There are many views andRead MoreA Juvenile Delinquent Is Someone Under The Age Of 18 Who1033 Words   |  5 PagesA juvenile delinquent is someone under the age of 18 who commits a criminal act. There are a few traits of the average juvenile offender. Family could be a big factor in a child becoming a juvenile delinquent. Coming from a dysfunctional family unit to having poor role models. By dysfunctional family unit I mean a family separated by divorce, or single-parenthood. Community is another trait of a juvenile delinquent. Including but not limited to poverty. Coming from a poor community where they doRead MoreJuvenile Delinquency : The United States1458 Words   |  6 Pages Juvenile Delinquency in the United States We live in a world where there is a great deal of investment allotted to our children and our culture tend to be overprotective of our youth. Rightfully so, our younger citizens are considered the building blocks of our nation and the carriers of our legacy in the future. But in spite of stringent laws that seem to protect our youth, other factors such as race, poverty, and environment are catalysts for delinquent youth behavior. Juvenile crime isRead More Juvenile Crime and Socio Economic Factors Essay1610 Words   |  7 Pagescurbed at any cost. Crime at a juvenile age is on one hand a crime against property and life, and on the other a crime against humanity. It is a much graver social danger that holds the seed of an evident social disaster implanted into it. Criminologists hold different views regarding the root of juvenile crime and that often leads into quite the argument. Irrespective of those theoretical head on collisions, the presence of socio economic factors behind each juvenile crime committed is almost acceptedRead MoreCauses And Consequences Of Juvenile Delinquency Essay1657 Words   |  7 PagesCauses of Juvenile Delinquency Delinquent behavior has been a serious and expensive problem in American society for a prolonged period of time. Although the delinquency rate has declined, it is still one of the highest in comparison to other countries in the world. Discovering a single cause of juvenile delinquency is difficult, but there is no doubt that a combination of various theories and factors could point researchers in the right direction of establishing a source. Theory and researchRead MoreFactors That Cause The Increase Rate Of Juvenile Delinquency Essay1666 Words   |  7 Pagesinvestigates the factors that cause the increase rate of Juvenile delinquencies. A survey research design will be used. Simple random sampling technique will be used while questionnaire and interview schedule will be necessary data collection instruments. This project will use the findings to know how to reduce the increasing rates of juvenile delinquency and also how to improve the current juvenile institutions available in order to be more productive. Juvenile Delinquency Introduction