examples of juvenile delinquency essay

132 Juvenile Delinquency Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best juvenile delinquency topic ideas & essay examples, 💡 interesting topics to write about juvenile delinquency, 📌 simple & easy juvenile delinquency essay titles, 👍 good essay topics on juvenile delinquency, ❓ research questions on juvenile delinquency.

• The Impact of Media on Juvenile Delinquency Besides, the media have been at the forefront of the fight against juvenile-related crimes. In this view, this document aims at critically evaluating the role of various forms of media in escalating juvenile delinquency, and […]
• Methodologies Used to Measure Acts of Juvenile Delinquency Before moving into the aspects of measurement of actions of juvenile delinquents, it is necessary to define and know what a juvenile delinquent is, and what actions fall within the ambit of juvenile delinquency.
• The Broken Homes and Juvenile Delinquency The level of measurement in this study will be to assess the frequency of involvement in crime by the children from the broken homes as well as those from the two parent families.
• Poverty Areas and Effects on Juvenile Delinquency The desire to live a better life contributes to the youths engaging in crimes, thus the increase in cases of juvenile delinquencies amid low-income families. The studies indicate that the fear of poverty is the […]
• Developing Solutions to the Juvenile Delinquency Problem These include the creation of a creative activity center, the mandatory introduction of art classes in schools, and the implementation of urban sports programs.
• The Issue of Juvenile Delinquency At the onset of the industrial revolution, public awareness concerning the fair and ethical treatment of children in workplaces emerged. The role of supervising and guiding children is left to other children, grandparents, or hired […]
• Juvenile Delinquency The defenders of the system on the other hand appreciate the marked role of juvenile justice system in rehabilitating juvenile delinquents and are advocating for the conservation of the system and reforming critical structures that […]
• Juvenile Delinquency: Causes and Intervention The role of the family and parents cannot be discounted in the causes of juvenile delinquency. The courts and the lawyers are involved in the trial and sentencing of juvenile offenders.
• Juvenile Delinquency in Ancient and Modern Times The only policy related to juvenile delinquency existing in ancient Greece was the law that prohibited the youth in ancient Greece from beating their parents.
• The Rise of Juvenile Delinquency and the Influence of Drugs Additionally, parents are the ones who know the strengths and weaknesses of the children since they spend most of their time together, their suggestions and views towards the crime committed should be handled with a […]
• Single Parenthood and Juvenile Delinquency in Modern Society The proposal seeks to establish the relationship between single parenthood and the increase in juvenile delinquency. I propose addressing child delinquency from the perspective of social and family background to understand the risks associated with […]
• The Problem of Juvenile Delinquency The addition of family context to the existing perception of adolescent crimes could be used to explore the core reasons for the crimes and to define possible methods for the prevention of juvenile crimes. The […]
• Problems of Juvenile Delinquency The main aim of writing this paper is to carry out an examination of a juvenile delinquent in order to understand what pushes them into doing the act and applicable solutions which can be applied […]
• The Cognitive Theory in Juvenile Delinquency At this stage, a child can perform certain actions repeatedly and also be able to differentiate the means of doing actions.
• Theories of Juvenile Delinquency Research showed individuals’ attitudes toward crime may herald their criminal behavior, in agreement with criminological theories such as control theory, learning theory and psychological theories like the theory of reasoned action.
• Juvenile Delinquency: Social Disorganization Theory Hence, according to Lopez and Gillespie, tenets of the social disorganization theory have been resourceful in the present-day juvenile delinquency system.
• Adolescent Diversion Project in Juvenile Delinquency Treatment in Michigan The focus of the program is to prevent future delinquency by creating social attachments to family and other prosocial youth by providing community resources and keeping individuals away from the juvenile justice system which can […]
• The Relationship Between Parental Influence and Juvenile Delinquency Parents that do not allow their children to play with their neighbors, or discourage their children from associating with particular families lead to the children developing a negative attitude towards the families.
• Juvenile Delinquency and Affecting Factors The information gathered, synthesized, and analyzed in the research with the help of the proposed question has future value as it identifies factors that can be impacted by the society representatives.
• Juvenile Delinquency: Impact of Collective Efficacy and Mental Illnesses The perception of collective efficacy can be defined as the consideration that the people in a neighborhood are trustable and can do their part to partake in social control to benefit a specific community.
• Juvenile Delinquency: a Case Analysis The tracking of the juvenile from juvenile court to adult court and then through the system is shown in the outline below: Arrest.
• Implementing an Arts Program to Help Curb Juvenile Delinquency and Reduce Recidivism Therefore, the pieces of art will be customized to rhyme with society needs of the targeted children and the adolescents. Some of the enrollees to this program will be delinquents.
• Role of Family in Reducing Juvenile Delinquency Players in the criminal justice system recognize the contribution of family and familial factors to the development of criminal and delinquent tendencies and their potential to minimize minors’ engagement in illegal and socially unacceptable behaviors.
• Juvenile Delinquency is a Product of Nurture These criminals have been exposed to unfavorable conditions in their lives such as violence and poverty and turn to criminal behavior as a coping mechanism.
• Gangs and Juvenile Delinquency Hallsworth and Silverstone argues that although there have been a lot of violence, the main source is not quite clear and people live by speculations that the violence is linked to the emergence of a […]
• Juvenile Delinquency: Three Levels of Prevention It is made up of programs and ideals which are effective in treatment of the offender, reintegrating them in the society and limiting them from committing similar offenses. In conclusion, though most prevention programs are […]
• Day Treatment Centers and Juvenile Delinquency One of the core aspects that should not be disregarded is that such programs may be used as a particular assessment tool that would help to identify needs of a juvenile, and this approach may […]
• Court Unification and Juvenile Delinquency Speaking about the given issue, it is important to give the clear definition of this category and determine who could be judged by the juvenile court.
• Prevent Juvenile Delinquency in the USA Due to this fact, it is possible to describe the existing problem as the increase in the number of crimes that children commit.
• Juvenile Delinquency: Risk Assessment The investigatory processes to know the individual’s character and personality involve the use of complex and simple approaches, and these serve to provide organizations or institutions dealing with child welfare with important information that would […]
• Life Without Parole and Juvenile Delinquency The United States is one of the few countries which recognize the necessity of sentencing juveniles to life without parole. This is the main and only advantage of this approach.
• Juvenile Delinquency and Reasons That Lead to It Irrespective of the cause of juvenile delinquency, juvenile drug abuse is certainly most commonly related directly to either an increase or a decrease in any form of juvenile delinquency. This correlates to the increase in […]
• The Concepts of Nature and Nurture in Modern Psychologist to Explain Juvenile Delinquency Hence any behavior exhibited by a juvenile that is in total contrast with the value demands of the larger society can be termed as Juvenile Delinquency. On the one hand, it is believed that Juvenile […]
• Criminology Theories and Juvenile Delinquency From the point of view of labeling theory, the initial drinking and the first fight at the party is John’s primary deviance.
• Juvenile Delinquency in the United States According to Pennsylvania laws, children at the age of 10 and above can be trialed as adults for first- and second-degree murders.
• Juvenile Delinquency and the Importance of Socialization At the time of the incident, according to the authors of the article, twenty students out of a total of thirty had arrived for the lecture.
• Theories and Suggestions on Juvenile Delinquency The other factor is that the norms that governed relationships in the different family and societal set-ups such as in the school and the workplace are being challenged.
• The Phenomenon of Juvenile Delinquency They are very important in the proceedings and even have additional authority to propose a waiver of the subject. The judges are the other officials in a juvenile court system.
• The Juvenile Delinquency Rate In order to reduce the rate of crime committed by young people in my community, there is a need to educate the youth in matters of drug and substance abuse.
• Juvenile Delinquency Recidivism Prevention Many studies have been carried out to examine the rates of recidivism among juveniles and the ineffectiveness of the juvenile prison.
• Juvenile Delinquency: The Columbine Shootings This paper seeks to discuss and analyze the casual theory of juvenile delinquency by describing an instance of juvenile delinquency as highlighted in the mass media, by describing the casual theory of juvenile delinquency with […]
• Juvenile Delinquency Theories in the United States School and family are extremely important to juveniles regarding their worldview, and the failure of those communities to guide them may result in turning to questionable ideals and morals.
• Crime Prevention and Juvenile Delinquency As a specific jurisdiction that will serve as the basis for assessing and implementing the provisions of the crime prevention program, the District of Florida will be considered.
• Adolescent Psychology and Juvenile Delinquency I will also promote the idea that when it comes to identifying the factors that contribute to the development of delinquency in youth, one must be willing to consider the effects of the combination of […]
• Juvenile Delinquency, Its Factors and Theories Under the individual risk factors, it is prudent to note that a lack of proper education coupled with lower intelligence might pose a serious risk to a minor in terms of engaging in criminal activities […]
• Factors Associated With Juvenile Delinquency Further, the authors propose that the family should be the main focus of prevention and clinical interventions and that establishment of social policy and programs should be directed to the family.
• Combating Juvenile Delinquency: Projects Management In order to prevent and reduce juvenile violence, the City of Hampton develops and implements various activities that were mentioned above, promoting the importance of moral standards.
• The Issue of Juvenile Delinquency: Recent Trends Violence and other criminal actions attract the attention of the government and the general public, as they affect the life of the society adversely.
• Juvenile Delinquency Investigation The social learning theory that is a part of it suggests that children observe the behavior of others and replicate it.
• Juvenile Delinquency’ Causes and Possible Treatments They investigated the issue in different perspectives but came up to the decision that the best way to treat young offenders is to utilize multisystemic therapy.
• Juvenile Delinquency: Criminological Theories These include the broken windows theory, the culture of the gang theory and the social disorganization theory. Cohen developed the culture of the gang theory to explain the origin of juvenile delinquency.
• Juvenile Delinquency and Criminal Gangs The proliferation of criminal gangs in my area of jurisdiction, as director of the county juvenile court, represents a nationwide problem. In the 1990s, the rate of crime rose in most parts of the world.
• Juvenile Delinquency, Treatment, and Interventions The performance of the child in school is one of the individual factors that are likely to cause the child to get involved in violent behaviors.
• Poverty and Juvenile Delinquency in the United States
• Roles of Family, School, and Church in Juvenile Delinquency
• Understanding Juvenile Delinquency and the Different Ways to Stop the Problem in Our Society
• Juvenile Delinquency and Crime as an Integral Part of the American Society
• Impact of Television Violence In Relation To Juvenile Delinquency
• The Vicious Circle of Child Abuse, Juvenile Delinquency, and Future Abuse
• Juvenile Delinquency, Domestic Violence, and the Effects of Substance Abuse
• The Explorers Program as a Preventative Measure in Juvenile Delinquency
• Juvenile Delinquency, Youth Culture, and Renegade Kids, Suburban Outlaws by Wooden
• The Alarming Rate of Juvenile Delinquency and Cases of Teenage Suicides in the U.S
• The Line Between Juvenile Delinquency And Adult Penalties
• Home Social Environment and Juvenile Delinquency
• The Effects of Neighborhood Crime on the Level of Juvenile Delinquency
• Interpersonal Learning Theory Plus Juvenile Delinquency
• How to Prevent Juvenile Delinquency in the U.S
• Relationship Between Juvenile Delinquency and Learning Disabilities
• The Impact of Television Violence and Its Relation to Juvenile Delinquency
• The Lack of Strong Parental Figures Causes Juvenile Delinquency
• Theories of Juvenile Delinquency: Why Young Individuals Commit Crimes
• Using Drugs and Juvenile Delinquency
• Theory of Social Disorganization and Juvenile Delinquency
• What Is the Best Way to Combat Juvenile Delinquency?
• The Marxist Crime Perspective On Juvenile Delinquency Of African Americans
• The Failures of the Act of Juvenile Delinquency in the United States
• Juvenile Delinquency And Its Effects On The Adult Justice System
• Juvenile Delinquency Contributing Factors Current Research and Intervention
• Impact Of Single Parents On Juvenile Delinquency Rates
• Video Game Violence Leading to Juvenile Delinquency
• Juvenile Delinquency: Exploring Factors of Gender and Family
• The Psychological Aspect of Juvenile Delinquency
• The Antisocial Behavior Leading to Juvenile Delinquency
• Lead and Juvenile Delinquency: New Evidence from Linked Birth, School and Juvenile Detention Records
• The Role of Family in Preventing Juvenile Delinquency and Behavioural Patterns of Children
• The Relationship Between Poverty and Juvenile Delinquency
• The Importance of Family in the Behavior of Children and in Preventing Juvenile Delinquency
• Preventing and Dealing with Juvenile Delinquency
• How Family Structures Can Play a Role in Juvenile Delinquency
• Juvenile Delinquency and A Child’s Emotional Needs
• Family Structural Changes and Juvenile Delinquency
• The Causes of the Problem of Juvenile Delinquency in the United States
• Juvenile Delinquency And The Juvenile Justice System
• The Curfew: Issues On Juvenile Delinquency And Constitutional Rights
• The Socioeconomic Triggers of Juvenile Delinquency: Analysis of “The Outsiders”
• Exploring the Root Causes of the Problem of Juvenile Delinquency
• The Rise of Juvenile Delinquency and the Flaws of the Juvenile Justice System
• The Causes And Possible Solutions Of Juvenile Delinquency
• The History of the Juvenile Delinquency and the Process of the Juvenile Justice System in Malaysia
• The Issue of Juvenile Delinquency Among Girls in the United States
• What Is the Importance of Studying Juvenile Delinquency?
• Does Authoritative Parenting Impact Juvenile Delinquency?
• What Are the Factors of Juvenile Delinquency?
• What Are Juvenile Delinquency Causes and Solutions?
• What Type of Problem Is Juvenile Delinquency?
• How Can Family Structures Play a Role in Juvenile Delinquency?
• What Is the Concept of Juvenile Delinquency?
• How Do You Explain Juvenile Delinquency?
• How Does Poverty and the Environment Cause or Contribute to Juvenile Delinquency?
• What Are the Leading Causes of Juvenile Delinquency?
• How Does Family Contribute to Juvenile Delinquency?
• How the Juvenile Delinquency Impact Society?
• Why Is Juvenile Delinquency a Problem?
• What Factors Cause Juvenile Delinquency?
• What Is the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency?
• What Are the Types of Juvenile Delinquency?
• What Is an Example of a Juvenile Delinquent?
• How Can We Prevent Juvenile Delinquency?
• How Does Juvenile Delinquency Affect the Community?
• How Does Juvenile Delinquency Affect Education?
• Why Is Juvenile Delinquency a Problem in Our Society?
• How Does Juvenile Delinquency Affect the Individual?
• What Is Another Name for Juvenile Delinquency?
• What Causes Juvenile Delinquency?
• How Does Birth Order Affect Juvenile Delinquency?
• What Is the Main Problem in Juvenile Delinquency?
• What Is the Difference Between Crime and Juvenile Delinquency?
• What Are Some Effects of Juvenile Delinquency?
• How Does Juvenile Delinquency Affect Social Life?
• What Is the Nature of Juvenile Delinquency?
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111 Juvenile Delinquency Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Juvenile delinquency is a pressing issue that affects communities and families worldwide. It refers to the act of committing crimes by young individuals below the age of 18. Understanding the causes, consequences, and solutions to juvenile delinquency is crucial in addressing this problem effectively.

If you are tasked with writing an essay on juvenile delinquency, choosing a compelling topic is essential. To help you get started, here are 111 juvenile delinquency essay topic ideas and examples:

• The impact of family structure on juvenile delinquency
• The role of peer pressure in juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and mental health disorders
• The relationship between poverty and juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and substance abuse
• The influence of media on juvenile delinquency
• The effectiveness of rehabilitation programs for juvenile delinquents
• Juvenile delinquency and school dropout rates
• The link between child abuse and juvenile delinquency
• The role of genetics in juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and social media
• The impact of neighborhood characteristics on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and gang involvement
• The relationship between juvenile delinquency and race/ethnicity
• Juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system
• The role of trauma in juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and recidivism rates
• The influence of parental monitoring on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and educational attainment
• The impact of peer relationships on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and juvenile detention centers
• The relationship between juvenile delinquency and technology
• Juvenile delinquency and juvenile curfew laws
• The effectiveness of early intervention programs for at-risk youth
• Juvenile delinquency and juvenile probation programs
• The influence of social norms on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and juvenile diversion programs
• The role of gender in juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and juvenile court proceedings
• The impact of trauma-informed care on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and substance abuse treatment programs
• The relationship between juvenile delinquency and child welfare services
• Juvenile delinquency and community-based programs
• The influence of school climate on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and restorative justice practices
• The role of law enforcement in addressing juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and school resource officers
• The impact of social inequality on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and mental health treatment
• The relationship between juvenile delinquency and trauma exposure
• Juvenile delinquency and gun violence
• The influence of family dynamics on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and cyberbullying
• The role of community policing in preventing juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and school safety measures
• The impact of parental involvement on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and substance abuse prevention programs
• The relationship between juvenile delinquency and foster care
• Juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice reform movement
• The influence of social support networks on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and the school-to-prison pipeline
• The role of mental health stigma in juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and trauma-informed education
• The impact of school discipline policies on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and community engagement strategies
• The relationship between juvenile delinquency and child advocacy programs
• Juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system disparities
• The influence of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and the impact of adverse childhood experiences
• The role of school counselors in addressing juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and the role of probation officers
• The impact of mentoring programs on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and the role of school resource officers
• The relationship between juvenile delinquency and parental incarceration
• Juvenile delinquency and the impact of school suspensions
• The influence of community-based mental health services on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and the role of school-based mental health screenings
• The impact of trauma-focused interventions on juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and the relationship between poverty and crime
• The role of parental involvement in preventing juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile delinquency and the impact of school climate on student behavior
• The relationship between juvenile delinquency and mental health disorders
• Juvenile delinquency and the role of community-based mental health services
• The influence of trauma-informed care on juvenile delinquency
• The impact of parental involvement in preventing juvenile delinquency

Choose a topic that interests you and conduct thorough research to support your arguments and findings. By shedding light on the complexities of juvenile delinquency, you can contribute to the ongoing dialogue on how to prevent and address this critical issue in our society.

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Juvenile Delinquency: Definition and 10 Examples

Juvenile delinquency refers to behaviors by people not legally adults that are outside of the norms of society , either formally or informally.

Generally, it will refer specifically to behaviors that are illegal and enforced by formal social controls , such as through criminal justice agencies. However, it may also refer to engagement in taboo and personally destructive but not illegal behaviors.

Common examples of juvenile delinquency include shoplifting, petty theft, consuming illicit or regulated substances, and spraying graffiti.

Juvenile Delinquency Definition and Overview

The term ‘juvenile delinquency’ encompasses a wide range of actions, from minor offenses such as truancy and curfew violation, to severe criminal behaviors like theft and assault.

Juvenile delinquency is formally defined by Siegel and Welsh (2016) as:

“…the participation by a minor child, usually between the ages of 10 and 17, in illegal behavior or activities” (Siegel & Welsh, 2016, p. 13).

However, the concept and, therefore, the definition of juvenile delinquency is intrinsically linked to the legal and cultural context of a given society, meaning the age at which a person is considered a juvenile and the range of behaviors classified as delinquent can vary widely (Beck, Lee, & Kim, 2018).

Moreover, the approach toward dealing with juvenile delinquents has seen a significant shift over time.

Historically, societies dealt with juvenile offenders in the same way as adult criminals; however, the recognition of young people’s distinctive psychological, social, and developmental needs has brought about changes in law enforcement, sentencing, and rehabilitation approaches (Bala & Anand, 2020; Chen & Adams, 2021).

Namely, in most nations, there are laws around minimum ages at which people can be found criminally responsible for their behaviors. Furthermore, imprisoned juveniles are often kept separate from imprisoned adults.

Examples of Juvenile Delinquency

1. Vandalism: Vandalism is the destruction of either public property or the property of another private individual. This could range from a minor offence, such as scratching a name into a school desk, to severe, such as causing damage to a shopping mall or transit corridor. It tends to emerge in juveniles due to desire to engage in thrill-seeking behaviors, out of desire for recognition from peers, or inability to control emotions. Sometimes, it can also be engaged in as an expressive art form (see later: Graffiti). Vandalism can be indicative of environmental factors that need to be addressed such as lack of supervision, lack of appropriate outlets for play or expression, and peer pressure.

2. Shoplifting: Shoplifting is a common juvenile offense that involves taking items from a store without paying for them. This behavior may be caused by the desire to obtain material goods that the young person cannot access due to lack of participation in the labor market, but could also be the result of thrill-seeking behaviors and peer pressure. It may also be an exhibition of boredom among unsupervised teens.

3. Substance Abuse: Substance abuse among juveniles involves the consumption of illegal or controlled substances, often ones legal to adults but illegal to teens. However, it may also involve the abuse of prescribed substances as a way to seek thrills, or even, a result of curiosity, anxiety, or depression. This is extremely common among young people, with almost half of graduates from US high schools having abused a controlled substance.

4. Truancy: Truancy refers to the behavior of skipping school or other mandated events without permission. It tends to occur when young people feel excluded, isolated, or disconnected from their educational community. It can lead to poor grades at school, missed opportunities to develop important cognitive, social, and physical skills in formal education, and may also cause social isolation.

5. Cyberbullying: Since the rise of social media, society has been slow to support children in developing media literacy skills and the ability to communicate appropriately online (also known as netiquette). The anonymity provided by the internet can often make cyberbullies feel detached from the real-life consequences of their actions. While this behavior is often a violation of an informal norm rather than a legal infraction, it can lead to devastating consequences to the victims, who are usually also youths.

6. Physical assault: Physical assault is also common among juvenile delinquents, especially in school yards and other unregulated environments. Most common among male perpetrators ,  it is often seen and addressed as a symptom of poor problem-solving skills, poor impulse control , or inability to identify and model socially acceptable behaviors.

7. Arson: Arson refers to the fact of intentionally setting fires to public or private property. This act often leads to significant financial loss to the victims or costs to the public. Like many other acts of juvenile delinquency, it has a range of similar causes, including expressions of curiosity, thrill-seeking, or acts of revenge.

8. Joyriding: Joyriding refers to the act of stealing a vehicle, generally with the intent of driving it around, with disregard for its safety, before discarding it. This act is different from carjacking with the intent of making profits, and this is often because youths don’t have the social networks that can assist them in selling the goods on.

9. Graffiti: Graffiti involves using paints – often out of spray cans – to mark and deface public propery. Generally, it involves the use of unique ‘tags’ (designs) that young people use as a way to gain social status and credit. Graffiti is a particularly interesting version of juvenile delinquency because those who engage in it are often extremely talented artists, and create art that makes important social commentary. Nevertheless, it is considered illegal without the property owner’s consent.

10. Trespassing: Trespassing involves entering or staying on a property without the owner’s permission. Commonly, this occurs when young people have parties on abandoned public or private property. Juveniles may also trespass as a form of thrill-seeking, to engage in other illegal activies (such as graffiti art and theft), or out of peer pressure. It may also be an act of rebellion against the authority that owns or manages the property.

Theories of Juvenile Delinquency (Sociology and Criminology)

1. strain theory.

Strain theory , developed by American sociologist Robert Merton in the late 1930s, argues that crime is committed by juveniles because they do not have access to the means of legitimately obtaining social status, power, and wealth.

In the words of the theory, it holds that everyone aspires toward “cultural goals” such as status, power, and wealth, but if they cannot use “legitimate means” to access those goals, then they will choose to utilize illegitimate means, institutionalized means to achieve these goals.

This discrepancy between aspirations and legitimate means can lead to ‘strain’.

In the context of juveniles, this strain is often caused because they lack access to the labor market or other means to obtain culturally-desirable goals that are afforded to adults.

When juveniles perceive an imbalance between their ambitions (often influenced by societal standards) and their ability to fulfill these ambitions through legitimate means, they can experience frustration.

This strain can push them to resort to illegitimate methods, such as criminal activities, to achieve their goals, leading to delinquent behavior (Agnew, 1992).

2. Social Learning Theory

Proposed by Albert Bandura in the 1970s, the social learning theory holds that young people’s behaviors are a direct result of behaviors learned through observation of role models (Bandura, 1977).

A young person who observes delinquent behaviors among older siblings, parents, uncles, peers, neighbors, and so forth, may be more inclined to mirror and emulate those behaviors than young people who are exposed to role models who engage in prosocial behaviors .

The theory has implications for our understanding of whether we should expose our young people to violent and antisocial media, including movies and video games, and whether (and when) social services should be allowed to remove children from homes.

Moreover, the social learning theory argues that delinquent behaviors that are rewarded, reinforced, or normalized, will more likely be engaged in by youths.

3. Social Bond Theory

Hirschi’s social bond theory argues that young people will be less inclined to engage in delinquent behavior if they have strong social bond (Hirschi, 1969; Pratt et al., 2010).

In other words, social bonds control individuals by keeping them engaged with social and cultural norms and values .

Hirschi argued that having strong attachments to one’s family and community, and commitment to following rules and laws preserve social order in a society (Hirschi, 1969; Pratt et al., 2010).

Being involved with day to day routines such as going to work or school, attending church, and having a strong belief system , will socialize young people into internalizing appropriate social norms.

4. Labeling Theory

The labeling theory of deviance holds that society labels young people as deviants, and in that process of labeling, the young people will come to believe themselves to be deviant, and engage in deviant behavior as a result.

The simplest example is in schools, where a teacher labels a child a ‘bad kid’ and treats them as suspect, expecting them to engage in misbehavior. Over time, the child will internalize this belief (known as the secondary stage of deviance ), and at this point, will engage in misbehavior because it’s expected of them. They’re simply acting consistently with their social identity.

In other words, the labeled individual might experience “ self-fulfilling prophecy .”

The theory has its roots in symbolic interactionism, which asserts that the self-identity and behavior of individuals can be influenced by the terms used to describe or classify them (Becker, 1963).

Factors Influencing Juvenile Delinquency

Various factors can influence juvenile delinquency. These are often categorized into two broad groups: situational factors , which are tied to the circumstances and environment of the individual; and dispositional factors , which are inherent traits or characteristics of the individual.

1. Situational Factors

• Peer and Family Influence: Peers play a crucial role during adolescence, and association with deviant peers has been linked to increased risk of delinquent behavior (Dishion, Patterson, Stoolmiller, & Skinner, 1991). Similarly, as argued in the social learning theory, family role models are highly influential in affecting a young person’s behaviors.
• School Environment: Poor academic performance, low school attachment, and negative school experiences can contribute to delinquency (Hawkins, Catalano, & Miller, 1992).
• Neighborhood and Community Context: Some scholars argue that living in a high-crime neighborhood, or poverty-stricken areas can expose children to delinquency (Sampson, Raudenbush, & Earls, 1997). For example, the differential opportunity theory holds that people in neighborhoods where there are established gangs or crime groups are more likely to engage in organized crime, while the same child in a neighborhood without organized gangs will be more likely to engage in more petty delinquent behaviors.

2. Dispositional Factors

• Personality Traits: Certain personality traits, such as impulsivity, difficulty in delaying gratification, or a tendency towards aggression, may make a child more prone to delinquent behavior (Moffitt, 1993).
• Gender: Young men often face difficulties in dealing with emotions, testosterone spikes, and difficulty with developing an identity, which leads them into delinquency at much higher rates than young women.
• Psychological Difficulties: Mental health disorders like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, or depression are often associated with increased risk of delinquent behavior (Lynam, 1996). Of course, as with gender, having ADHD is not a deterministic factor – most people with ADHD do not engage in seriously delinquent behaviors.

It’s crucial to note that these factors do not act in isolation but interact with each other in complex ways to influence an individual’s likelihood of engaging in delinquent behavior.

Juvenile delinquency is a very common sociological phenomenon in most societies. Today, most juveniles are treated by social work, educational, and criminal justice institutions as having unique needs due to their still developing cognitive and psychological capacities. Generally, there are a range of petty crimes that juveniles will engage in, such as joyriding and vandalism, that can be addressed by looking at root causes such as peer pressure, thrill-seeking, and lack of supervision.

Agnew, R. (1992). Foundation for a general strain theory of crime and delinquency. Criminology, 30 (1), 47-88.

Bala, N., & Anand, S. (2020). Evolution of the juvenile justice system: Implications for practice and policy. International Journal of Child Rights, 28 (2), 239-256.

Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. London: Prentice-Hall.

Beck, E., Lee, B., & Kim, H. (2018). The cultural and legal contexts of juvenile delinquency in South Korea. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 53 , 61-74.

Becker, H. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of deviance. London: Free Press.

Brook, J. S., Brook, D. W., Zhang, C., Cohen, P., & Whiteman, M. (2002). D*ug use and the risk of major depressive disorder, alco**l dependence, and substance use disorders. Archives of General Psychiatry, 59 (11), 1039–1044.

Chen, P., & Adams, M. (2021). Understanding the patterns and characteristics of juvenile crime in the United States: An overview of the issues. Journal of Crime and Justice, 44 (2), 203-216.

Dishion, T. J., Patterson, G. R., Stoolmiller, M., & Skinner, M. L. (1991). Family, school, and behavioral antecedents to early adolescent involvement with antisocial peers. Developmental Psychology, 27 (1), 172-180.

Farrington, D. P., Loeber, R., & Van Kammen, W. B. (1990). Long-term criminal outcomes of hyperactivity-impulsivity-attention deficit and conduct problems in childhood. Straight and devious pathways from childhood to adulthood.

Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of delinquency . Los Angeles: University of California Press.

Merton, R. K. (1938). Social structure and anomie. American Sociological Review, 3 (5), 672-682.

Siegel, L. J., & Welsh, B. C. (2016). Juvenile Delinquency: The Core (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Zubaidah, S., Putri, N., & Hakim, A. (2019). Juvenile delinquency: A significant issue in many societies. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Studies, 11 (1), 50-58.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Home / Essay Samples / Crime / Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile Delinquency Essay Examples

People of color and the school-to-prison pipeline problem in 'the match'.

The story “The Match” written by Colson Whitehead opens with the discovery of a secret grave full of buried, unidentified bodies located on the school of what used to be Nickel Academy, a reform school for troubled juveniles. It is a story where former students...

Minorities and the School-to-prison Pipeline System

The School-to-Prison Pipeline further advances low-income families into the cycle of poverty and is detrimental to society and change. The School-to-Prison Pipeline is a concept where children of minorities are being oppressed by the school system and that directly leads to expulsion, which leads to...

Danger of Juvenile Delinquency in USA

Juvenile delinquency, despite falling overall rates of crime in the United States, remains a serious problem in this country. Around 2.5 million juveniles are arrested every year for various crimes in America, of which around 100,000 are violent crimes; however, it is estimated that this...

Development of Juvenile Delinquency in Modern World

As we all know that juvenile delinquency is causing a big problem in our society, and it is a problem that is getting worse every day. It has to be stopped with different methods. In 2006 boys had more than the seventy percent of all...

Reasons for Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile delinquency is defined as illegal acts committed by youngsters under the age of 18, especially for juveniles who grow up in low-income families and living in urban areas. Low income and juvenile delinquency is a popular theory and has always been linked in studies...

Review of America’s Safest City: Delinquency and Modernity in Suburbia by Simon I. Singer

In America’s Safest City: Delinquency and Modernity in Suburbia, distinguished scholar and Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northwestern University, Simon I. Singer introduces the reader to Amherst, New York, which is routinely voted as one of the safest cities in the United States....

Applying Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory to Juvenile Crime

Can juveniles learn to commit crimes, specifically shoplifting or theft? Edwin Sutherland’s differential association theory explains crime is learned through social processing. Sutherland’s nine propositions disassemble the process of learning crime through social interactions, and to understand that crime is learned how we, as humans,...

Simulation on Education: Improving Education System by Using Simulation Based Applications

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of traditional instruction based education towards understanding the concepts of science versus simulation based education using simulation based desktop and mobile applications. It also examines how to improve education system using more sophisticated way...

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