Juveniles_Commit_Most_Crimes

Juvenile Crime 2 Juveniles Commit Most Crimes Juvenile crime is defined as crime committed by young people under a certain age as defined by law. It is no secret that the world that we live in today juvenile crime is one of the world biggest issues being dealt with. There are a number of perceptible issues among juvenile offenders that contribute to what causes the crime; however experts don't know the main reason. In my paper I will be discussing some of the causes and preventions of juvenile crime. Is it fair to say that children from one parent homes are more susceptible to commit crime' Causes of Juvenile Crime Some experts believe that juvenile commit crimes because of factors like peer pressure, drugs, exposure to violence, poverty, media violence, and unstable family life. Kids want to be accepted by his or her peers so they sometimes do what others want even if it's wrong. Young adults may be more influenced by what they think their peers are doing than by what they are actually doing. (Radecki and Jaccard. 1995) Some juveniles would be hesitant to admit that they area actually influenced by others because it gives off the perception that they are not capable of making decisions on their own. Drugs and alcohol play a significant part in juvenile crime. Juveniles rely on drugs and alcohol as a way to rationalize their behavior or criminal acts. Others use it as a way to escape the realities of world they live in. Some have started using drug from peer pressure or just as a way of having fun. Juvenile Crime 3 Drugs today are widely accepted by many teens. It starts out as recreation and turns into an addiction for some. When drugs or alcohol are needed to function properly it can result in violent behavior at times. Studies show that since 1992 there have been an increase in illicit drug use and it is rising. It also has been publicized that youth that use drugs and sell them are more than likely the ones to be involved or commit crimes. What role does the media play in Juvenile Crime' A lot of exposure to television violence can cause crime and negative aggressive behavior in the youths. Television doesn't just affect the children living in inner city neighborhoods, it affect children all over. Some of the most heinous crimes committed by children or young adults did not live in poor inner cities. Violence on TV is know part of the norm. With television such as CSI, 48 Hours and Law and Order it has influences on the youth and adults as well. TV not only introduce crime into peoples homes it is the greatest impact on children lives today. Research shows that to much television can cause disruptive behavior and aggression in children. A lot of parents think and feel that TV violence is harmful and entertains the use of violence. Although it is impossible to actually prove that media or music depiction causes violent action there are close connections. An example would be Grand Theft Auto (video game). In Texas two teen fired a shotgun at passing cars on a highway resulting in the death of one person and injuring another. The teens stated they didn't have any intentions on killing anyone they just wanted to imitate the video game. Juvenile Crime 4 It is my opinion that media violence does contribute to aggression and violence. Are Single-Parent Families prone to Commit Crime' As with many American I agree that single-parent families are more prone to commit crimes. I believe without a father or father figure in the home that young women and men are easily swept up by the streets. I have had the opportunity to experience from friends and family the lifestyle and behavior of both single and two parent homes. In the single-parent home the mother or father was always working which left the children at home most of the times by themselves. With no supervision around no one is there to monitor the actions. I t seemed as if young boys turned to the streets for the father figure. The father figure that they become attached to by no means are the traditional figure. Young men are introduced to guns, drugs, alcohol and are influenced by others. In two-parent homes one parent is always there to keep an eye on their children. This doesn't necessarily mean that they don't get involved in the streets as well. A two-parent home isn't any better if there is no parenting involved. I've also witnessed where a one-parent home did a better job. The Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency reports the most reliable indicator of violent crimes in a community is the proportion of fatherless families. There have been many studies done on whether or not children from single-parent families are more prone to commit crimes but researchers have conflicting views. In my own readings I found that some studies relate little parental involvement, parental guidance and peer pressure to juvenile crime. Juvenile Crime 5 According to a 1993 Metropolitan Life Survey, “Violence in America's Public School,” seventy one percent of the teachers and ninety percent of law enforcement officials state that the lack of parental supervision at home is a major factor contributing to the violence in schools. The students agreed with this assessment with sixty one percent for elementary and seventy six percent for secondary. Teenagers and young adults, aged fourteen through twenty-four, have a much greater involvement in violent crime-as both offenders and victims-than any other age group. (Brehm, Kassin, Fein, 2005 ) Ways to Prevent Crime Today we have a lot of juvenile crime prevention organizations and programs. Some are through mentoring, family counseling, school based and life skills. Most would agree that crime prevention should start at home at the early stages of a child's life. A mentor is an individual committed to helping an at risk you get his or her life on track. I think it is important to have a mentor in a young adult's life to give support and serve as a role model and friend. Some young adults don't have great relationships with their parents or feel that they can't go to them for advice. A mentor can fill that empty void that more than likely can help deter a child from turning to the streets or drugs. It has been shown in past years that after school programs and non-school-hour programs deter delinquent behavior. Violent offenses by juveniles peak in the after-school hours wrote (Synder and Sickmund 1999 ) Juvenile Crime 6 After school programs and extra-curricular activities keep children minds occupied. Getting them involved in as much as possible can distract or deter them from gang activities, drugs and alcohol. Lastly getting back to the basic of parenting is very important in prevention. I feel strongly that parents have to start being parents and being in control and opt out of the friend zone. A good solid foundation whether single or two-parent home is a must. Parents must be involved with every aspect of their children lives. Children need to feel that they are loved and that they matter. Families, communities, churches, and the likes must come together to help save our youth, our future depends on them. Juvenile Crime 7 References Schmallageger, Frank & Worrall, John L. (2005) Policing Today Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey McCord, Joan, Widon, Cathy & Crowell, Nancy (2001)Juvenile Crime, Juvenile Justice National Aacademy Press, Washington D.C. Bender, David & Leone Bruno ( 1997) Juvenile Crime Greenhaven Press, San Diego, Ca. Landau Elaine, (1992) Teens and the Death Penalty Enslow Pusblishers, Hillside, New Jersey Brehm, Sharon S., Kassin, Saul & Fein Steven (2005) Social Psychology, Sixth Edition Houghton Mifflin, Boston Wormser, Richard (1994) Juveniles in Trouble Simon & Schuster New York, London, Toronto, Sydney