Juvenile Delinquency and Family Structure Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements CJ 387 Juvenile Delinquency D’Meki L. Murry Mississippi Valley State University Mrs. R. Cobbs April 19, 2012 Introduction In today’s society more and more juveniles committing delinquent acts, we have to stop and ask ourselves why this continues to be a problem in our communities. This paper will provide an overview on juvenile delinquency and the role family structure has in this. Juveniles are more likely to become delinquent when there is little or a weak structure being provided by their family. Even thought there are many factors that entail the cause of juvenile delinquency, this paper will focus on three that encompass all the different factors. The main three I will focus on are family functioning, economic status and a two-parent versus a single-parent household.
A quote from the article that puts it in perspective says, “The rush to criminalize children has set the country on a dangerous path. Congress must now shape the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act so that it provides the states with the money and expertise they need to develop more enlightened juvenile justice policies. For starters, it should rewrite the law to prohibit the confinement of children in adult jails.” I like this article because it makes a great case for why the confinement of children with adults is not good for the children or society. We may need another solution to the problem of delinquency, but it should not be motivated by emotions and senseless decisions that will eventually result in society having a bigger problem on its hands
The Melbourne gang research (White et al., 1999) highlighted the importance of dealing with the youth gang phenomenon across a number of dimensions, taking into account the very different social histories and socio-economic circumstances of the young people. 6 Evidence into Action Topical Paper –Anti-gang strategies and interventions– April 2007 Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth It is also essential to consider the policy implications of gang research in regards to the institutional measures that might be designed and utilised to curtail gang formation and gang-related activities. The starting point for policy development and formulation of intervention strategies is careful analysis of what precisely ‘the problem’ actually is. Canadian researchers such as Gordon (2000) and American criminal justice agencies (United States Bureau of Justice Assistance, 1997, 1998) emphasise the importance of local community-based anti-gang programming based upon an appreciation of the diversity of youth group formations, as well as the dynamics
For example, it has new criteria for the transfer of Canadians convicted and imprisoned in a foreign country to serve the sentences. Also, it has stiffened punishments for youth criminals, allowing adult sentencing for certain cases, and put an end to house arrest for large range of crimes. I believe this will not help decrease the youth crime rate but actually contribute to an increase. Youths are not fully matured and are more prone to bad influences from the public. Their misbehaviors are likely to have been originated from childhood emotional traumas.
Client’s Name 24 September 2007 Professor’s Name Course # Youth Gang Membership: Reasons to Join Introduction: Focus on Rehabilitation & Preventing Recidivism In the increasing debate of child criminals and their proneness towards crime, there exists the issue of rehabilitation. In point of fact the entire issue of juvenile delinquency hinges upon the ability of the offender to re-enter society not as a criminal but as a changed individual ready to become a working part of society. In the questions that arise from the concern over juvenile delinquency the recurring question is this: Are children who commit crimes rehabilitated by the juvenile court system, or are they more likely to commit criminal acts as adults? In
Does Waiving Juveniles to Criminal Court Deter Recidivism November 28, 2012 Does waiving juveniles to criminal court deter recidivism? Violent youth crime has contributed to the perception that something is seriously wrong with our society and legislative system; crime is no longer a man’s game, it’s becoming child’s play. The continued rise in youth crime over the past decades has increased the public’s fear of juvenile offenders. Those who have been victimized call upon our legislators for stronger measures to deal with juveniles who continue to commit crime. Today, all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia allow juveniles to be prosecuted in criminal court.
Evaluate upbringing as an explanation of criminal behaviour. Upbringing can be defined as the background to an individual’s life where a study by Farrington can explain criminality where he focuses on youth’s backgrounds because we need to look into someone’s past experience whether offender/non-offender which might influence his/hers behaviour later on in life. Theories that use upbringing suggests that what happens during early childhood experiences which can greatly impact on a person’s susceptibility to turn to crime in the future. Farrington had come up with some other predicting factors of crime which include parental divorce and lack of supervision from parents. The study by Farrington et al.
An increased level of concern about public safety and crime rates may be brought about by increased incidences of shoplifting in particular areas. Lastly and most influential to our social framework is the strain and added family problems that result from the shoplifting arrest of a child, as well as the loss of youthful innocence and damage to their future. (Youth Service Council Of Orange, 2004) So why do so many juveniles shoplift? The easy answer is simply so that they can get something for nothing. However the real cause of shoplifting goes beyond this.
INTRO: The Youth Criminal Justice Act is the law that governs Canada's youth justice system. This law also protects the information of the youth criminals from being released to the public. Some believe that this Act should be taken away, and that the youth's information should be published, but I believe contrary. Youth criminals should not have their information published because it would humiliate the youth on a nationwide scale, the youth may not have known what they were doing or how the crime would impact their life, and releasing the youth criminals name would have them face more problems in finding a job and settling into everyday life. Imagine you committed a crime and your information was published for everyone to see.
This facility is known as one of the most aggressive in the country for young violent offenders. Last Chance in Texas is about teens that have committed serious crimes being rehabilitated in order to re-enter into society and reduce their risk of recidivism. The main focus of the author is to give a full insight to the workings of a rehabilitative program in a TYC State School. Hubner breaks the book into two segments: Boys and Girls. The introductory gives a little background on how the TYC came about.