Introduction
Vulnerable populations are the groups of people who are disadvantaged in some way. Examples of such communities are people of low income, mental disorders, racially, culturally, and religiously diverse, homeless, HIV positive, etc. Due to these challenges, they need more social protection and support. Among the social problems of vulnerable populations are discrimination and social abuse resulting from inequality and lower health service levels. They also may experience a lack of employment and social support, insufficient access to education, and, as a result, illiteracy. The theme of this essay is such a problem of vulnerable populations as juvenile delinquency, its interconnection with other social problems, and possible ways of its solution.
How Social Problems of Vulnerable Populations Have Perpetuated or Are Affected by Juvenile Delinquency
A matter of juvenile delinquency cannot be discussed in isolation as it is a part of a complex of problems of vulnerable populations. Therefore, other issues have simultaneously perpetuated juvenile delinquency and are affected by it. On the one hand, it has been proven that within the juvenile justice system, certain populations, such as youth belonging to racial minorities and suffering from mental disorders, are overrepresented (Thomas & Bath, 2019). Among mental illnesses, the connection of ASD to offensive behaviors is the most well-studied (DeFilippis, 2019). Other problems proven to be corresponding to juvenile crimes are transgender young people or those who have been exploited sexually (Lowenhaupt, 2019; Thomas, 2019).
Thus, all factors mentioned above have perpetuated juvenile crime, which might appear as a protest against social discrimination, lack of support and opportunities, and such mental states as depression and despair. On the other hand, delinquent behavior aggravates other social problems of vulnerable people. For example, it causes further discrimination and social hostility towards them, therefore, leading to a vicious circle.
Possible Solutions to the Problem of Juvenile Delinquency
Considering close interconnection within an entire set of problems of vulnerable populations, it may be suggested that only a complex approach could solve the problem of juvenile delinquency. In the past, particular measures to decrease rates of juvenile crime have been introduced. A considerable number of programs were enacted under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (Fernandes-Alcantara, 2018). They included establishing institutions for juvenile crime control, and grant programs designed to provide youth support and mentoring in collaboration with other social and educational organizations. Several projects aimed to work with runaway and homeless youth, mentally disadvantaged, and medically underserved people were implemented (Fernandes-Alcantara, 2018). Although it could positively affect juvenile crime rates, it seemed to be insufficient to combat it.
One possible reason for it may be a lack of attention to the very root of juvenile deviant behavior, which is psychological discomfort and protest against existing social norms. Considering it, an effective way to decrease juvenile delinquency and other deviant behaviors may be attention to the mental condition of young people. Particular social services should be established, and careful research has to be made to determine the most vulnerable families that need to be continuously monitored. Along with it, educational programs should be implemented in schools and colleges to raise awareness about the problems of vulnerable groups among the general population. In summary, the most necessary step toward improving the situation should be made not on the formal institutional level but in people’s minds and hearts.
References
DeFilippis, M. (2019). Youth with ASD in juvenile justice. The Scientific Proceedings of the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (p. S20).
Fernandes-Alcantara, A. L. (2018). Vulnerable youth: Background and policies. Congressional Research Service.
Thomas, C. (2019). Transgender youth in juvenile justice. The Scientific Proceedings of the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (p. S20). Chicago, Illinois.
Lowenhaupt, E. A. (2019). Commercial sexual exploitation of children in the juvenile justice system. The Scientific Proceedings of the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (p. S20).
Thomas, C., & Bath, E. (2019). Vulnerable populations in juvenile justice. The Scientific Proceedings of the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (p. S20). Chicago, Illinois. Web.