Full Answer Section

F

amily factors that can contribute to juvenile delinquency include:

• Parenting style: Children who are raised in homes with harsh, inconsistent, or neglectful parenting are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior.
• Family conflict: Children who live in homes with high levels of conflict or violence are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior.
• Parental substance abuse: Children whose parents abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior.

Peer factors that can contribute to juvenile delinquency include:

• Peer pressure: Children who are surrounded by peers who engage in delinquent behavior are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior themselves.
• Gang membership: Children who join gangs are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior, including violence.

School factors that can contribute to juvenile delinquency include:

• Academic failure: Children who are failing in school are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior.
• School dropout: Children who drop out of school are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior.
• School climate: Children who attend schools with high levels of violence or disorder are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior.

Community factors that can contribute to juvenile delinquency include:

• Poverty: Children who live in poverty are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior.
• Lack of opportunity: Children who lack opportunities for education, employment, and recreation are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior.
• Exposure to violence: Children who are exposed to violence in their community are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior.

There are a number of preventive measures that can be taken to help reduce juvenile deviant behavior. These measures include:

• Early intervention: Programs that provide early intervention for children who are at risk for delinquency can be effective in preventing problem behavior.
• Parenting education: Programs that teach parents effective parenting skills can help to reduce delinquency.
• School-based programs: Programs that focus on improving school climate, reducing academic failure, and providing opportunities for recreation and employment can help to reduce delinquency.
• Community-based programs: Programs that provide support services to families and youth, and that work to reduce poverty and violence in communities, can help to reduce delinquency.

It is important to note that there is no single solution to the problem of juvenile delinquency. A comprehensive approach that addresses the individual, family, peer, school, and community factors that contribute to delinquency is needed to be effective.

References:

• Catalano, R. F., Kosterman, R. J., Hawkins, J. D., Abbott, R. D., & Hill, K. G. (1998). Preventing adolescent health-risk behaviors by strengthening protection during childhood. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 152(4), 317-324.
• Loeber, R., & Farrington, D. P. (1998). Serious and violent juvenile offenders: Risk factors and successful interventions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (2013). Preventing delinquency through effective parenting. Washington, DC: Author.
• World Health Organization. (2014). Preventing youth violence: A global perspective. Geneva: Author.