Juvenile delinquency is not a new issue in society. In fact, it's been evident for ages. However, in recent times, the media attention given to it has grown and it's occurring more often. Acts committed by juveniles are more heinous than ever. The crimes of juvenile-committed battery and even murder are not unheard of in today's society. So, where did we go wrong?
There are many arguments presented in answer to that question. Everyone starts pointing a finger at someone else. Blame the parents. Blame the justice system. Blame genetics and psychological disorders. Blame society as a whole. Unfortunately, the blame lies with all of the above, in varying degrees. It depends on each individual case.
Many factors contribute to juvenile delinquency. Quite a few of them have to do with the lack of a certain ingredient that is important to the growth process. Lack of responsible role models, guidance, education, supervision, discipline, and attention are some of them. Others include the human's natural instinct to rebel, peer pressure, child abuse, boredom, and possible psychological disturbances.
Another theory is that the economy plays a role as well. Some will argue that a poor economy promotes criminal behavior in all age groups. Yet, there are crimes committed by juveniles in wealthy communities as well, leaving this theory up for debate.
Teenagers have long acquired an infamous reputation of being rebels. It is as though we have an expectation for them to misbehave a little during their transition into adulthood. It seems accepted by society as normal behavior for them by adults. After all, they are just rebellious teenagers, aren't they?
We have all heard of the numerous things teenagers do to rebel against authority. We may have committed some of them ourselves in the past. Teens sneak out of their bedrooms late at night, cut school, hang out with the "wrong" crowd, do drugs, and have underage sex, get tattoos, or party excessively. However, when does rebellion go too far?
Many children in today's society are home alone after attending school. Some parents expect their children to raise themselves with very little input from them. A percentage of parents only see their children one to two hours each day. Is that enough attention and guidance to deter a child from getting bored and turning inward to find ways to occupy their time?
Some children, when faced with lack of attention from their parental figure(s), will do anything to get it. They stop caring if the attention they get is positive or not and will purposely break the rules just to get a reaction. They feel neglected and, sadly, negative attention becomes one in the same with the positive kind in their eyes.
Children and teenagers still want to emulate their favorite celebrities. How many positive role models are there these days in the Hollywood spotlight? The media seems transfixed with the celebrities that do very negative things in the public eye. Unfortunately, many juveniles follow these "role models". They have a tendency to imitate what they see. Due to this, they think it's all right to drink and drive, party all night, and show their underwear in public.
Psychological issues can also play a role in a juvenile's behavior. I do believe that too many children in society are medicated just for the sake of it; however, I do realize that medication is needed to treat certain disorders. Bipolar disorder is one such condition. There are children and teens that have it and go undiagnosed, then go on to become very destructive to both themselves and others.
Peer pressure is a very old excuse for delinquent behavior but a very real one. I would love to be able to say that everyone has the strength to stand up against the crowd, but it would not be realistic of me to say so. This issue has become bigger than ever now in regards to children and teens.
One possible contributing factor to juvenile delinquency is child abuse. This maltreatment of children; be it physical, sexual, or verbal in nature, can lead to irreparable damage to the victim. It can also turn into a vicious circle wherein the victim may turn abusive him or herself and cause the suffering of others. We must be aware that many child abusers were abused themselves. That is no excuse for their actions, but it is a very real factor in their future behavior.
Poor education can lead to boredom and hopelessness for a young individual. Society views education as a stepping-stone to a better existence. Without one, career options are slim. The lack of a good education can lead one to believe that he or she does not have many options to make a good living. The temptation to give up on oneself and engage in self-destructive activities is greater when one believes that he or she is unworthy of a better life.
Juvenile delinquency is a serious problem in today's society. It seems to be escalating and over the decades has gone from smoking cigarettes and street racing to sexual assault and murder. In today's world, juveniles are picking up weapons and causing great destruction. Perhaps we as a society have allowed it to get out of control. I've begun to ask myself if we have caused this for ourselves.
Looking around, some things have been brought to my attention recently. Many parents do not seem to want to be parents. The sheer glory of bringing someone into this world has overshadowed the responsibility that comes with it. Teachers do not seem to be teaching. My sister tells me that at her high school, some of them just sit and play on a computer for most of the period. Children do not want to learn. Sports and playtime have come in between them and the eagerness to grow mentally. Perhaps we are failing. Maybe we have all let each other down.
One thing is certain though; we have not reached the point of no return. We still have time to change things. If we were all to work together and give some precious time over to this cause, we may be able to keep our children from turning to a life of crime. I worry, though, that our selfish laziness may prevent us from ever doing so. It's too bad really, since children have so much potential to accomplish great things.