Juvenile Delinquency

Table of contents

Introduction1

Discussion1

Characteristics of Juvenile Delinquency1

Factors Leading To Juvenile Delinquency2

Rationale for Choosing This Topic2

Conclusion4

References5

Juvenile Delinquency

Introduction

Criminal activities have been part of the society since the earliest civilization; though the extent and varieties could presumably less excruciating. Nevertheless, more or less harmful, does not make a criminal activity any more acceptable. Criminal psychologists have been actively involved in investigating the causes of various types of criminal behaviors; one such focus has been on juvenile delinquency or criminal activities committed by individuals within the age bracket of 14-20 years. This essay briefly presents the causes of juvenile delinquency as well as comprehensively explains the importance of studying youth crime in the field of criminal psychology.

Discussion

Characteristics of Juvenile Delinquency

Many research studies have found a common pool of characteristics among young individuals involved in criminal activities. However, a significant aspect in this regard, has been highlighting the characteristics of individuals who have continued committing serious crimes in their adulthood. It has been found out that professional criminals have been involved in criminal activities as a part of a group in their childhood, which has a high degree of cohesion driven by common culture, social problems, poverty, and hatred for society's privileged lot (Khromina, 2007). Another aspect which increases the risk they pose to the society is the hierarchical organization of their group and teams; which encourages an individual to perform a heinous activity so that he/she can supersede others to become their leader.

Factors Leading To Juvenile Delinquency

Sociologists and psychologists have put forth various factors that promote criminal activities among the young population in the world. Some of those significant factors are briefly highlighted as follows;

The living standard as set by media today has widened the gap between privileged and under-privileged children in the society. Thus, the excessive desire to achieve higher status without having the proper means to achieve that instigates a young mind to opt for illegal ways.

Alcoholic parents and disrupted families increase emotional insecurity; consequently develops social hatred in a child's mind.

Other than family issues, being a minority in a geographical region when social welfare system is weak, also makes one feel unfairly treated, and thus justifies criminal activities to protect their rights (National Research Council, 2001).

Rationale for Choosing This Topic

The society, in every generation, witnesses the transition of a young to an adult as a confusing process for them. The complexities involved in the ...