Juvenile delinquency

Juvenile delinquency, a gateway to adult crime. Therefore, it gets really important and a topic of great concern that needs to be discussed on a serious note. Juvenile delinquency refers to the antisocial or criminal activity of the child (who is below the age of 18 years as per the Indian Penal Code) which violates the law. In true context, that same activity would have been a crime if it was committed by an adult. However, the Indian Penal Code specifies that a child cannot be charged for any crime until he has attained seven years of age.

In all, juvenile delinquency contributes 24.9% to the total crimes that have been registered in our country. 66.3% were in the 16-18 age group and 50.2% came from poor families, with an annual income of up to Rs. 25,000. The Parliament of India amidst intense controversy, debate, and protest about the increase in crime rates by the 16-18 age group passed the bill, Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 says that treat all children under the age of 18 years in a similar way, except for one departure. It states that any 16-18 year old who commits a heinous offense may be tried as an adult.

The question arises- “Why”? Why do they commit crimes?

 According to the psychoanalytic theories, there are three common theories on juvenile delinquency. The three theories are the anomie theory, the subculture theory, and the differential opportunity theory.

Anomie Theory: The anomie theory was first written in the 1940s by Robert Merton. Merton's theory explains that juvenile delinquency occurs because the juveniles do not have the means to make themselves happy. Their goals are unattainable within legal means so they find unlawful means by which to attain their goals. An example would be a juvenile who has had a goal to get a job and purchase a car. The juvenile is not able to find a job to make money so he either steals a car or he steals money to purchase a car.

Subculture Theory: Another theory about juvenile delinquency is the subculture theory. In 1955, Albert Cohen developed it. Certain groups or subcultures in society have values and attitudes that are conducive to crime and violence. So, juveniles that do not meet the social standards seek validation from a subculture. The subculture group is formed of other juveniles who also do not meet the social standards.

Differential Opportunity Theory: The differential opportunity theory does not fully support Cohen's theory that juveniles become delinquent when they do not meet society's standards. It was developed by Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin in 1960, they believe that opportunity plays a role in juvenile delinquency. It states that if juveniles have more opportunities to succeed, then they would be less likely to turn to subculture groups for validation. For example, a juvenile may be successful during school but may fail to find gainful employment. The inability to find gainful employment can lead the juvenile to be delinquent and not the social factors.

                                    

                                           Fig: A histogram representing the percentage of types of crime juveniles are involved in.

 

Besides these theories, the following points also result as a cause for the crime committed by juveniles.

·         Rational Choice:

As per the behavioral study done on delinquent children by psychologists, it suggests that the child does any delinquent act because his mind tells him to do it. In other words, he does this because he wants to do it. These kinds of acts provide immense satisfaction to the offenders and so they see nothing wrong with it.

·         Negligence:

As the joint family system is coming to an end a new trend has evolved wherein both the parents are working and as a result child is left neglected and such isolation leads to the child’s involvement in wrongful acts.

·         Bad company:

One of the major reasons why children are entering into the world of crime is because of their bad company. Children who are in bad company knowingly or unknowingly indulge in criminal activities. It is this Bad company that motivates them to commit the crime.

·         Atmosphere at home:

An individual may have certain problems within his home which may have led him to the wrong society. Like treatment from stepmothers, poverty, the Effect of T.V or the Internet, or other media. Such cases are mostly seen with children who do not have anyone to look after them after they return from school or there is least or excess of discipline exercised on them by the elders of the family.

·         Illiteracy and

·         Unemployment.

                            

                                               Fig: A histogram reflecting the occurring crime rate as per the mentioned causes.

 

Typically, juvenile delinquency follows a trajectory similar to that of normal adolescent development. In other words, children, and youth tend to follow a path toward delinquent and criminal behavior rather than engaging randomly. Research has shown that there are two types of delinquents;

Ø  those in whom the onset of severe antisocial behavior begins in early childhood, and

Ø  those in whom this onset coincides with the entry into adolescence.

In either case, these developmental paths allow families,

communities, and systems to intervene and prevent the onset of such antisocial behaviors. Therefore, some of how delinquency can be prevented are mentioned below.

·         Put stricter laws/harsher punishment in place.

·         Make trades, skills, and employment opportunities available.

·         Institutes/Outlets/activities for juveniles.

·         Improved education and eradicating illiteracy.

·         Rehabilitation/guidance/counseling

·         Establish mentorship programs.

·         Ensure there is more support from families.

·         Bullying prevention programs.

·         Afterschool recreation programs.

·         Increase your knowledge and understanding of adolescent development.

·         Know where your child is and who they're with.

·         Connect with your child. Be informed, supportive, and present for them.

·         Be clear about rules and expectations.

 

In recent years, children and their problems have been receiving the attention of both government and the society. But it has been seen that the problems are enormous and never-ending, thus resulting in lack of everything that has been done till today. If these problems are not curbed soon, then the children's growth will be hampered giving a dark future to our country. The social, economic, and other factors which have been the root causes of Juvenile Delinquency need to be dealt with at the very initial stage. Every society must, therefore, devote full attention to ensure that children are properly cared for and brought up in a proper atmosphere, where they could receive adequate training, education, and guidance so that they may be able to have their rightful place in society when they grow up.

Lastly, I would like to conclude it by quoting the lines of B.F. Skinner, “The juvenile delinquent does not feel his disturbed personality. The intelligent man does not feel his intelligence or the introvert his introversion.”

 So, it is our duty to help them distinguish, provide them the required sources which could help them be better and teach them to follow the right path. 

                                                                             - By Samiksha Jain