Education's role in reducing juvenile crime rates

¶ … Youth Crime

Over the last several years, the issue of juvenile crime has been increasingly brought to the forefront. This is because of concerns about how to effectively deal with this problem vs. using traditional approaches (i.e. incarceration). As a result, the rates will vary dramatically when comparing the different decades with each other. This has created periods that will see an increase in juvenile crime (which is followed by sharp declines). In a number of situations, a host of theories have been introduced to help explain why these decreases are occurring. (Butts, 2007, pg. 16)

One of the notable is the quality of education. Evidence of this can be seen with observations from Lochner (2003) who says, "There are a number of reasons to believe that education will affect subsequent crime. First, schooling increases the returns to legitimate work, raising the opportunity costs of illicit behavior. Additionally, punishment for crime typically entails incarceration. By raising wage rates, schooling makes this 'lost time' more costly. Second, education may directly affect the financial or psychic rewards from crime itself. Finally, schooling may alter preferences in indirect ways, which may affect decisions to engage in crime." This is illustrating, how education can help to change the mindset of young adults. When this happens, most individuals will begin acting more ethically and responsibly. (Lochner, 2003)

However, despite these potential benefits, many critics will point out that the decreases in crime are from the current policies (with incarceration serving as a deterrent). This is problematic, because it is contradicting what different research studies are showing about the impact of education. To fully understand the effect that education is having on juvenile crime requires carefully looking at: this relationship and proposing alternative strategies. Once this takes place, is when these ideas will show how education can have a positive impact in reducing juvenile crime. (Lochner, 2003)

The Relationship between Education and Juvenile Crime

There is a direct correlation between the educational levels of the person and amount of criminal activity they will become involved in. According to Reynolds (2007), between 28 to 43% of incarcerated persons have special needs and learning disabilities. This is highlighting how within the current prison population, a good percentage of inmates will have lower levels of educational achievement. (Reynolds, 2007, pg. 1235)

Moreover, Brewer (2010) found these statistics are even more severe, as two thirds of the total prison population does not have a high school diploma. This is because most of these individuals become involved in criminal activity when they were juveniles. What hurts their educational performance was the arrest and lost time away from school. This made it difficult for them to keep and remain engaged in the process. Instead, most people abandoned their education in order to focus on their legal challenges. This is showing how there is a direct connection between academic achievement and the total amounts of juvenile crime. Over the course of time, these kinds of issues will have an impact on the characteristics of communities. (Brewer, 2010, pg. 95)

At the same time, Sheldon (2011) found that education is having a positive effect on society. This is occurring in two different forms to include: it helps the person to embrace the main cultural attributes and it legitimizes these activities. Moreover, Sheldon also found that when incarcerated individuals are educated, there are less disciplinary problems. These different elements will create a set of social standards that will influence how the individual will act. (Sheldon, 2011)

In the case of juveniles, they are learning about how to interact with the world around them. This is accomplished through understanding various social norms and customs. Those who are doing well academically will have a sense of confidence about their ability to adapt. This is when they will have increased amounts of self-worth (which reduces the chances of them becoming involved in criminal activity). (Sheldon, 2011)

Evidence of this can be seen with Sheldon observing, "One of the most critical institutions is education. It is well-known that an investment in education results in a tremendous return. Some have estimated that for every dollar invested in education society gets about $7 in return as measured by the fact that the educated person will be a consumer and taxpayer and a corresponding reduction in the cost of the criminal justice system and various forms of social welfare. This is also true for prisoners. The more education they receive while incarcerated, the lower the chances of committing more crime upon their release. There is evidence of a school to prison pipeline whereby youth who are expelled, suspended or who drop out often end up in the juvenile justice system and then later are funneled into the adult prison system." This is illustrating how education levels will have a dramatic impact on juvenile crime rates. (Sheldon, 2011)

The different sources that were examined are showing how there is a direct link between education and juvenile criminal activity. This is because, what someone learns in school will serve as foundation in helping them to interact with others. Those who have trouble will often turn to crime as an escape. This is from having feelings of frustration and anger that are directed at society. To lash out, many troubled youths will become influenced by these kinds of activities.

Once they are arrested, is when their problems will be compounded. This is because the legal challenges and possible jail time will take them away from education. In the future, this means that these individuals will more than likely become career criminals. However, when someone is educated, they will have the tools they need to support themselves and are interacting effectively within society. This decreases the chances that they will turn to criminal activity at some point in their lives.

Conclusion

Clearly, there is a direct connection between education levels and juvenile crime. This is because education teaches the student how to effectively interact with society and support themselves. For the individual, these concepts will have an impact on their self-worth. Those who are having challenges with their studies, will more than likely become involved in criminal activities. This is from feelings of: frustration, boredom, a reduced self-image, the desire to belong and lashing out at the status quo.

Once someone is arrested, is the point that the odds decrease of them finishing their studies. This is because they will have to deal with a host of legal issues and there is an emphasis on deterrence. To address these challenges, educators need to be using the differentiated approach. This is where they will utilize multiple formats to reach out to students and actively work with different stakeholders. If these kinds of techniques are used consistently, they will directly deal with the root causes of juvenile crime. This is when they will have a positive influence on the community. As a result, youth criminal activity is directly associated with the underlying levels of education. Those who are able to understand this can begin using these tools address these issues over the long-term.