Children Becoming Juveniles

There has been a long debate on whether children from divorced families are more likely

to result in them becoming juveniles. This is a controversial topic: there has yet to be a definitive

factor that determines if there is, in fact, a connection.

Juveniles are so called when a child commits a crime that is considered of an adult

nature. There is a problem with this definition, however, largely in part due to federal and local

court systems differing on what exactly makes a child a delinquent. There is no age restriction

other than the age of eighteen, which is not even truly a limit (as those as young as fourteen can

be charged as adults for crimes like murder in certain states like New Jersey).

It’s a popular topic in crime

Reality is a bit more complicated than that.

Research shows that out of all the parents facing divorce, there is no real difference at

who is going to end up becoming a juvenile due to the split. This seems to apply whether a child

is biological or adopted, although adopted children are reported in having more identity issues

that biological ones. In some cases, the children are made to live with relatives. The children, in

some situations, do become juveniles due to the lack of a parental figure and sudden shift in

environment, an acceptable reaction to having their world turned upside down.

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It does seem that age plays a factor in divorced kids becoming juveniles. For instance,

children in their young teens are more easily susceptible to peer pressure with the lack of a direct

parental figure due to divorce (or separation). In cases that have siblings who differ in age, the

elder sibling was usually the one who led the younger into doing misdemeanors that eventually

led to

(This is

assuming the parents share these values. If not, then the children will inevitably carry some of

these traits, no matter how much they are taught otherwise.)

The turning point for a child to become a juvenile, especially when faced with something

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like divorce, is adolescence. It is a time of change challenging enough for a child whose family is

intact, much less apart. It is assumed that a child will have seen their fair share of violence while

young, but a loving parent’s touch will hopefully dull down any negative influence. But, during

adolescence, the frequency of violence is easier to witness, and worse, commit. Antisocial and

aggressive behaviors begin developing as early as preschool and elementary school.

The coercion theory suggests that children who become juveniles happens when they are

influenced by outer sources, like peer pressure and television. Truthfully, though, while it does

seem like divorce can increase the risk of children becoming juveniles, it isn’t a sole