Juvenile Delinquency Causes

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Cause of Juvenile Delinquency in Some
This research paper attempts to examine why some youths get caught up in school violence and delinquency while others do not. The research will draw on existing sociological research and two major schools of criminological thoughts classical and positivist’s theories (Bartusch, 2006) to examine juvenile delinquency and how adequately the existing framework provides explanations on the issue especially in the context of our contemporary era.
There are many universally accepted definitions of juvenile delinquency, however, Burfield and Bartusch, (2006) defines it as “actions that violated the law committed by a person who is under the legal age of majority”.
Classical criminology holds that delinquent youths …show more content…

P.149) until research by Farnworth and Leiber (1989) found it was a significant educational predictor of delinquency in their sample of juveniles, also noted many researchers recognized the potential of Merton’s Anomie/ Strain theory, although he made no claims as to his theories of strain being in relation to juvenile delinquency, it is still viewed as one of the most influential and noteworthy in describing and explaining numerous forms of deviant behaviors.
Subsequently, Messner and Rosenfeld as cited in (Siegel, 2011), in building on Merton’s anomie theory developed the institutional strain theory which looks at the breakdown in community relations where institutions such as the church, (Siegel, 2011) charitable organizations and schools has lost social control of the community members susceptible to crime due to their preoccupation with financial liberation also Religious instruction removed from school curricula, and there is less interest in attending church services which create a lack of moral education through the church (P. …show more content…

P.110) this strain, Agnew argues may lead delinquency. Averill, (1982.) found that repeated hostile strain usually leads to resentment and the increase of negative affection may be present; as a result, he or she may drop out of school hang on the street corners with other youths where they may have a common goal of achieving the American goal, fast cars, money, sex, homes and the respect that comes with

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