A Variety Of Individual Causes Of Juvenile Delinquency
A Variety Of Individual Causes Of Juvenile Delinquency Have Been Prese
A variety of individual causes of juvenile delinquency have been presented in the lesson and readings this week. Some of these causes focus upon personal characteristics of the juvenile, while others attribute delinquency to societal causes. In words excluding reference and in APA format, begin by discussing whether you believe personal or societal causes have the biggest influence on juvenile delinquency. Next, identify one specific personal characteristic or societal cause that you believe most accurately explains decisions to participate in juvenile delinquency. Briefly defend the personal characteristic or societal cause you selected by explaining why it is more accurate than other theories presented.
Paper For Above instruction
Juvenile delinquency is a multifaceted phenomenon that has been studied extensively, with prevailing theories emphasizing either personal characteristics of juveniles or broader societal influences. I believe societal causes exert a more significant influence on juvenile delinquency than personal factors because societal environment shapes opportunities, norms, and stressors that influence juvenile behavior. Societal factors, such as community disorganization, socioeconomic deprivation, and exposure to criminal subcultures, create environments where delinquency is more likely to occur. These influences often operate beyond the control of the juvenile, thereby having a more profound impact than individual traits alone.
Among the various societal causes, community disorganization stands out as a particularly compelling explanation. Community disorganization refers to a breakdown in social institutions and social cohesion within neighborhoods, leading to diminished social control and increased delinquency (Shaw & McKay, 1942). In disorganized communities, youths lack access to positive role models, supervision, and structured activities, increasing the likelihood of engaging in delinquent acts. This causal mechanism underscores the importance of the environment over personal traits, as juveniles in such areas are often subjected to pressures and influences that predispose them toward delinquency.
Research supports the notion that community disorganization correlates strongly with juvenile offending. For example, Rose and Clear (1998) demonstrated that neighborhoods characterized by poverty, residential instability, and ethnic heterogeneity experienced higher rates of juvenile delinquency. These societal factors create a breeding ground for delinquency by weakening social bonds and reducing informal social control, which are critical in regulating juvenile behavior. This perspective aligns with social disorganization theory, which emphasizes the importance of environmental influences on criminal activities.
While personal characteristics such as impulsivity, aggression, or low intelligence can contribute to delinquent behavior, these traits are often reactions to environmental stressors or are less deterministic without societal context. For instance, a juvenile with impulsive tendencies may only act delinquently if they reside in a community lacking supervision and positive opportunities. Consequently, societal causes like community disorganization have a more comprehensive influence because they shape the circumstances in which personal traits are expressed.
Furthermore, addressing societal causes offers more effective avenues for intervention. Initiatives focused on community mobilization, improving neighborhood conditions, and fostering social cohesion have been successful in reducing juvenile delinquency rates (Sampson & Groves, 1989). These strategies highlight the importance of societal structures over solely targeting individual traits. It also emphasizes that juvenile delinquency is less about inherent personal deficiencies and more about environmental factors that can be modified through social policy.
In conclusion, while individual characteristics certainly contribute to juvenile delinquency, societal causes, particularly community disorganization, have a greater influence in shaping juvenile behavior. These environmental factors create the context in which delinquency is more likely to occur, underscoring the importance of societal intervention and community-based solutions to prevent juvenile crime. Recognizing the significance of societal influences enables policymakers and practitioners to develop more holistic and effective strategies for reducing juvenile delinquency.
References
Sampson, R. J., & Groves, W. B. (1989). Community Structure and Crime: Testing Social-Disorganization Theory. American Journal of Sociology, 94(4), 774–802.
Rose, R., & Clear, T. R. (1998). Community, Crime, and Conflict: A Review of the Literature. Justice Quarterly, 15(3), 385–415.
Shaw, C. R., & McKay, H. D. (1942). Juvenile Delinquency and Urban Areas. University of Chicago Press.
Baumer, E. P., & Lauritsen, J. L. (2010). Resocializing Boys and Girls into Crime: A Logic of Differential Reinforcement. Criminology, 48(4), 837–866.
Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A General Theory of Crime. Stanford University Press.
Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of Delinquency. University of California Press.
Merton, R. K. (1938). Social Structure and Anomie. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672–682.
Agnew, R. (1992). Foundation for a General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency. Criminology, 30(1), 47–87.
Anderson, E. (1999). Code of the Street: Decency, Violence, and the Moral Life of the Inner City. W. W. Norton & Company.
Farrington, D. P., & Welsh, B. C. (2007). Saving Children from Crime: Evidence-Based Prevention Strategies. Oxford University Press.