Juvenile Delinquency: A Need to Multiple Explanations and Interventions Analysis (Essay Sample)

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY: MULTIPLE EXPLANATIONS AND INTERVENTIONS
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JUVENILE DELINQUENCY: MULTIPLE EXPLANATIONS AND INTERVENTIONS
Juvenile delinquency has been identified as one of the challenges that countries all over the world have tried to deal with since time immemorial. It has therefore prompted many scholars such as sociologists, psychologists, economists, and political scientists to attempt and come up with several possible causes of juvenile delinquency and their available solutions. This review purposes to analyze these divergent opinions as presented by Badasa, G.G., Gemeda, A., Gaduda, B.E., and Wondimu, B. (2019) Juvenile Delinquency: A Need to Multiple Explanations and Interventions. In this review, theories propounded to explain the causes of juvenile delinquency such as Social Learning Theory, Social Control Theory, Economic Theory, General Strain Theory, Labelling Theory, Conflict Theory as well as Psychoanalysis Theory have been cited, compared and critically analyzed and solutions suggested in an attempt to solve this puzzle. Going by definition, Juvenile delinquency is whereby a minor violates the laws set to control criminal activities. In many countries, any person below 18 years qualifies to be a minor. However, Obioha, E.E. and Nthabi, A.M. (2011) Social Background Patterns and Juvenile Delinquency Nexus in Lesotho: A Case Study of Juvenile Delinquents in Juvenile Training Centre (JTC), Maseruargues argues that Juvenile delinquency may vary in different countries across the world. It is important to note that Juveniles form a vital faction in every society and issues affecting them negatively should be given the necessary attention. The following are the theories explaining possible causes of juvenile delinquency in the society today;
The Theory of Social Control suggests that Juvenile delinquency occurs when the bond between an individual and society is weak, such that the person fails to adhere to the control mechanisms laid down by that society. Britt, L.C. (2015) Control Theories and Crime. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, Volume 4, 2nd Edition, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 834-839 concludes that the break-in social ties are caused by a decline in people's culture and economy. He expounds by saying that when there is a disconnect between family members, Juveniles are likely to embrace other systems in an attempt to find support, and in most cases, they turn to their peers. Godinet, T.M. and Vakalahi, O.H. (2009) Conceptualizing Delinquency among Samoan Adolescents: An Integrative Model. Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice, 7, 135-159 supports this argument by asserting that if adolescents are not supported from home, they tend to deviate from norms and embrace unauthorized systems since they receive some support from them. The Theory of Social Learning tends to lean towards Social Control Theory. According to this theory, most behaviors are learned from significant others. Miller, N.R. and Fagan, A.A. (2014) Delinquency Prevention. In: Albanese, J.S., the Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1-8 makes a realistic assumption that children whose families are antisocial are at risk of embracing immoral behavior since they can learn them from the people they stay with. He expounds by saying that this can as well apply in large-sized families, families that are poorly supervised by parents, families with conflicting parents, and many others. It is therefore prudent to love and care for these Juveniles by families throughout their lives. Family presence is key to their development and behavior. The society at large should also be responsible for these Juveniles since their behavior will not only affect their families but also society as a whole.
The economic Theory of Crime and delinquency on the other hand states that criminal activities are a result of choices made by minors. This means that Juveniles have a decision to make, that is, whether to use their effort and time lawfully or unlawfully. The best option is always chosen based on the information they have and the resources at their disposal. This is according to Jacob, A. (2011) Economic Theories of Crime and Delinquency. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 21, 270-283. He further says that if Juveniles are linked to factors such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality, they may resort to criminal activities. Associated with this theory is the General Strain Theory. In this theory, Miller, N.R. and Steiner, B. (2014) Juvenile Delinquency. In: Mitchell, M., Ed., The Encyclopedia of Theoretical Criminology, Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Hoboken, 1-5 asserts that Juveniles are likely to engage in criminal activities due to pressure or stress. The pressure may be as a result of several factors such as residing in an area which is economically deprived, rejection by parents and showing of little love by them, erratic supervision by parents or authorities concerned, failure by the Juveniles to achieve certain set goals, homeless, and many other related causes. It is paramount that Juveniles who are defeated to make their own decisions be assisted by the significant other. They should also be assisted in handling the pressure that comes with life.
Another theory that explains the cause of Juvenile delinquency is the Conflict Theory. This theory is based on the concept of the power struggle between the rich and the poor in society. In his conclusion concerning this theory, Turner, J.H. (1975) Marx, and Simmel Revisited: Reassessing the Foundations of Conflict Theory. Social Forces, 53, 618-627 says that delinquency results from conflict caused by unequal distribution of resources and how legitimate the process of distribution is. As a result, the poor feel victimized and resolve to start open conflict against the rich people. A similar opinion is held by Jacob, A. (2011) Economic Theories of Crime and Delinquency. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 21, 270-283. In his journal, he says that disparities in terms of income between the rich and the poor are one of the root causes of Juvenile delinquency. Moreover, Turner, J.H. (1975) Marx, and Simmel illustrate this by proposing a series of stages in an attempt to clarify the causes of Juvenile delinquency. Marx states that conflict always exists in a social system despite the interrelationships that exist within it. He goes on to expound that this conflict eventually manifests into physical violence. When this happens, a dominant sect eventually emerges leading to further propagation of conflict of interest. As a result, juveniles begin to behave in an erratic manner. To solve this problem, any emerging form of conflict between the rich and the poor should be detected and solved before and turns into physical war.
Labeling