delinquency
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What is delinquency?
Delinquency is criminal behavior, especially when carried out by a juvenile, who is considered an adult at the age of 15 to 18, depending on the nation. Delinquency implies actions that do not conform to legal or moral standards of society and would be considered criminal if done by an adult.
In Western countries, delinquent behavior is most common among 14- to 15-year-olds and can include theft and, at older ages, more violent acts. Schools are also sometimes the origin of delinquent behavior, as most delinquents do poorly in school. Youths with little social capital are more likely to commit delinquent offenses.
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How is juvenile delinquency different from adult crime?
Juvenile delinquency differs from adult crime primarily in the offender's age and the justice system's approach. Delinquency refers to criminal behavior by a juvenile, typically under 18, which would be a crime if committed by an adult. Juvenile courts, established to handle these cases, prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, focusing on the juvenile's welfare and family circumstances.
The juvenile justice system emphasizes probation, counseling, and family treatment, while adult courts focus on determining guilt and punishment. Although juvenile courts are meant to be less adversarial, they can still impose confinement in correctional facilities. In some instances, juveniles may be tried in criminal court for serious offenses, potentially leading to harsher penalties.
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What are common causes of delinquency?
Delinquency is criminal behavior, especially by a juvenile, implying actions against legal or moral standards that would be criminal if done by an adult.
Several factors can cause delinquency. Psychological approaches focus on personality, examining how behavior and its restraints are learned through interactions of biological predispositions and social experiences. Social learning theory suggests behavior is learned from family, peer groups, and media.
Other potential causes include:
* Genetic and environmental factors, such as impulsivity, aggression, or high testosterone
* Mental health issues like ADHD, depression, or PTSD
* Negative environmental factors, such as neglect, abuse, or exposure to violence and crime
* Poor school performance or lack of opportunities
* Association with delinquent peers
* Lack of empathy6 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How does delinquency affect communities and families?
Delinquency, or criminal behavior committed by a juvenile, impacts communities and families in many ways. Delinquent behavior is most common among 14- to 15-year-olds and can include theft and, at older ages, violent acts.
Delinquency can be connected to:
* Poor academic performance and unhappiness with school, which can lead to dropping out
* Lack of parental communication or monitoring
* A need to attain status within a juvenile gang
* Lack of empathy
* Parents who are heavy drinkers, involved in crime, or unable to provide financial or emotional supportTo prevent or reduce delinquency, some programs focus on teaching parents constructive techniques, increasing commitment to school, encouraging empathy, and neighborhood watch programs.
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What role do schools and social programs play in preventing delinquency?
Schools and social programs play a significant role in preventing delinquency by offering constructive activities, counseling, and guidance to address the personal, social, educational, and vocational needs of young people. These programs recognize the importance of peer groups and aim to change offenders through group processes, constructive techniques, and increased commitment to school.
Violence prevention programs often target young people, and the most successful ones are school-based and involve committed teachers and parent training. By addressing risk factors early and promoting positive social development, schools and social programs can help reduce the likelihood of delinquent behavior.
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How do criminologists study and try to reduce delinquency?
Criminologists study delinquency, criminal behavior carried out by a juvenile, using methods from both natural and social sciences. They distinguish between pure and applied research and statistical and intuitive ways of thinking.
Sociological inquiry is used to develop many criminological theories. These theories assert that criminal behavior is a normal response to social circumstances. Examples of sociological theories include differential association, anomie, criminal subculture, neutralization, control, low self-control, labeling, radical, conflict, social-structural-strain, and ecological theories.
To reduce delinquency, action research uses observations from field-workers to identify tactics and activities that help prevent delinquent behavior. Studies also use interview and questionnaire responses gathered from representative samples of youths.
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delinquency, criminal behaviour, especially that carried out by a juvenile. Depending on the nation of origin, a juvenile becomes an adult anywhere between the ages of 15 to 18, although the age is sometimes lowered for murder and other serious crimes. Delinquency implies conduct that does not conform to the legal or moral standards of society; it usually applies only to acts that, if performed by an adult, would be termed criminal. It is thus distinguished from a status offense, a term applied in the United States and other national legal systems to acts considered wrongful when committed by a juvenile but not when committed by an adult. See also juvenile court; juvenile justice.
In Western countries, delinquent behaviour is most common in the 14- to 15-year-old age group. At age 14, most delinquent conduct involves minor theft. By age 16 or 17, more violent and dangerous acts, including assault and the use of a weapon, become prevalent. Most delinquents do not continue this behaviour into their adult life, for, as the circumstances of their lives change and they get a job, marry, or simply mature out of their turbulent adolescence, their conduct usually falls in line with societal standards. Although the evidence is ambiguous, most delinquents adjust to a noncriminal life, yet the proportion of delinquents who become criminals is higher than that of nondelinquents. In the United States, boys make up 80 percent of the delinquent population, and this rate is similar throughout Europe and Japan.
Schools are often the forum in which delinquent behaviour originates. Most delinquents perform poorly in school and are unhappy in the school environment. Many delinquents are dropouts who leave school at an early age but have no job opportunities. Juvenile gangs often perform delinquent acts, not solely out of frustration with society but also out of a need to attain status within their group. A gang can provide the rewards a juvenile cannot get from his school or other institution.
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Efforts have been made to identify potential delinquents at an early age in order to provide preventive treatment. Such predictions of delinquency generally depend not only on the child’s behaviour in school but also on the quality of the child’s home life. There are many elements that delinquents share in their home lives. Their parents are frequently heavy drinkers who are involved in crime themselves and are unable to provide emotional or financial support for their children. Discipline is inconsistent and often relies on physical force. Most attempts to detect future delinquents have failed, however. Indeed, it has been found that the stigma of being identified as a potential delinquent often causes the child to commit delinquent acts.
It is the responsibility of the state to deal with delinquent offenders. Probation, the most commonly used method of handling delinquents, is an arrangement whereby the delinquent is given a suspended sentence and in return must live by a prescribed set of rules under the supervision of a probation officer. Probation is most frequently granted to first offenders and delinquents charged with minor offenses. Probation can be a mandate of law, or it can be left to the court’s discretion. Probation requires the delinquent to lead a moderate, productive lifestyle, with financial responsibilities. If these requirements are not met, the delinquent may be placed in an institution. A delinquent will sometimes be placed in the foster care of a stable family, as a final method of keeping a juvenile out of an institution.
The treatment of delinquents on probation and in institutions ranges from a strict disciplinarian method to a more psychological approach, centring on psychoanalysis and group therapy. The probation officer must attempt to combine authority and compassion in the twin role of enforcer and social worker. This makes the role of the probation officer extremely difficult, while the responsibilities are great. Despite the problems of the probation system, studies have indicated that probation is effective in a majority of all cases.