Juvenile Delinquency: Causes, Family Factors, and Remedies

Introduction

Juvenile delinquency has been a dominant subject of debate across various spheres for a long time, and this debate does not appear likely to disappear any time soon. There have been various attempts to explain the concept and underlying causes of juvenile delinquency, but few have produced effective corrective measures for this societal problem. Despite the existence of several theories, two explanations come closest to capturing the reality of the phenomenon.

The biological theory holds that delinquency is facilitated by brain dysfunction accompanied by impairment in learning. This brain dysfunction is associated with violent and aggressive behaviors, limited impulse control, destructiveness, and poor social adaptation. The theory contends that brain dysfunction is linked to difficulties in learning and to conditions such as dyslexia, hyperactivity, and aphasia, which can consequently lead to deviant behavior, poor educational achievement, and social rejection (Joseph A.W., 2013). This approach is persuasive but fails to capture the realities of observable trends in the average daily society affected by delinquency, as it requires the ability to diagnose specific brain dysfunction.

The second plausible explanation for juvenile delinquency is the social learning theory, propounded by Albert Bandura, which examines the environment and how it affects the behaviors of individuals within society. Within this framework, it is argued that there are socially and culturally accepted ways of behavior that members of society follow and teach to younger generations as the acceptable norms, so that children grow up knowing these as the right ways to act (Boeree G., 2006). There is equally a possibility that a child may follow deviant ways that he or she observes while growing up. This theory forms the foundation of this paper. The social units that exist within society help shape the behavior of juveniles from a tender age. What they learn is what they ultimately display in their behavior — a pattern most evident in the family, which is the basic unit of society and the one with which a juvenile is most closely associated.

Family as a Source of Delinquency

Families are the foundation of human society, and a strong, stable foundation often produces stable, well-adjusted children. Children who are rejected by their parents or who grow up in conflict-filled homes are said to be at the greatest risk of becoming delinquent. Understanding how family dynamics and juvenile behavior interact is central to understanding delinquency; if any single factor plays a large part in delinquency, it is the family (Elliott, 2001).

Once children feel oppressed or exposed to anger, aggression, or the projection of frustrations by adults, they often resort to their own means of either projecting that burden elsewhere or showing rebellion and resistance (Paton G., 2008). Unfortunately, the issue of joining gangs has become increasingly prevalent, with many young children finding themselves in juvenile gangs that gradually develop into fully fledged criminal organizations.

Family Culture, Structure, and Behavioral Influences

Today, most children view their parents not only as caregivers but also as people to emulate. Children from families with criminal backgrounds or low moral standards are more likely to fall into delinquency than children from average families. Since children learn through emulation and mentorship, if that mentorship is deficient, children are likely to replicate what they observe in daily life from their parents and close guardians (News Medical, 2006).

Family structure has a direct bearing on children's behavior, including the likelihood of their joining gangs. In most cases, children regard the ideal family as one with two parents — a unit in which the responsibility of instilling morals and positive values is shared rather than left entirely to a single parent, which can prove an overwhelming burden. Close supervision, correction, discipline, and mentorship are more effectively provided when two parents are present. Children from two-parent families consequently have lesser chances of turning to delinquency compared to children from single-parent households. As Paton G. (2008) observes, "The lack of positive role models, the absence of a father in the home combined with too much freedom were seen to result in groups of young people with no respect for their elders."

Research also shows that most children who come from families with backgrounds of frequent abuse — whether physical, sexual, or verbal — are more likely to become delinquents than those who come from non-abusive homes.

There are four categories of family behavior that can promote delinquent conduct: families disrupted by breakup or persistent conflict; families characterized by ongoing interpersonal conflict; negligent parents who are inattentive to their children's behavior and emotional needs; and families in which parents model and pass on criminal behaviors to their children. Children view their parents as role models and tend to emulate criminal behavior when they observe it at home. Beyond emulation, children also hold expectations of care, emotional guidance, and consistent counsel. When parents are aloof from their children's needs and indifferent to their behavior, those children are prone to seeking guidance from gangs. Children from homes with rampant abuse — for instance, sexual abuse — often end up in gangs where they can project their frustration through violence against others (Wadsworth, 2005).

Conclusion

Wadsworth, M. (2005). Juvenile delinquency: Gender and delinquency.

Wadsworth, M. (2005). Juvenile delinquency: The family and delinquency.