Introduction Juvenile delinquency is a legal term used to describe children or adolescent behavior that would otherwise be termed as criminal in a court of law if done by adults. In our community, children are mostly associated with theft, truancy, and general disobedience while rape and other violent behaviors are observed in late adolescence (Roberts 3). Also common is the premeditated murder and acts that cause serious bodily harm. Generally, misconduct in youths is part of the process of maturing and in most cases, it disappears as they approach adulthood. Unfortunately, due to low income and underdeveloped institutional structures in our community, it is increasingly becoming a menace that will soon be uncontrollable. Statistics in our community show that, in ten teenagers, seven have been involved in criminal activities. This is very alarming and an immediate cause of action should be taken sooner than later. According to Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development, children acquire knowledge through internalizing their cultures and social environments, especially in their families. Therefore, children are not born delinquent nor do they choose to commit crimes: they learn from society by socially interacting with their peers and adults. It is with this fact that this issue can only be solved from the root which is the family then moving on to the entire community at large.
Solutions to juvenile crimes
Education
Model programs should be introduced to provide the necessary information to both families and their children. The parents will be taught how to bring up their children in a healthy way and the children will be informed on the consequences of using drugs, engaging in sex, and gangs. This will help the youth in discovering the innate worth they possess. They will cultivate positive attitudes and be able to control aggression and handle conflicts (Snyder & Sickmund 2). Recreation: This will help to fill in the unsupervised time children have especially after school. A survey conducted recently by the Department of Education in our community indicates that most of the juvenile crimes are committed after school hours. The adults and the young will be brought together by the recreation activities. The activities can be designed in a way that accommodates all skills and personalities. They can include dancing, boxing, basketball, and football. Eventually, a lot of idle time will be utilized in a positive way (World youth report 201). Bullying prevention programs: Programs should be set in high schools and elementary schools to curb bullying. The teachers should investigate questionnaires and identify those who bully and where it takes place. The victims and the bullies should then be counseled. This will make the schools less hostile and safe (Einstein Law 7).
Community involvement
This will include church youth groups as we have various churches in the community, girl and boy scouts, and other groups that will create a chance for the youth to meet and interact in a safe social setting. The youths who are likely to engage themselves in criminal activities can easily be monitored and counseled.
Parent training programs
The parents will be taught how to deal with and respond to the children having behavioral problems. The parent and children will interact with the help of a therapist. The program will help in reducing the attention deficits, anxiety, and aggression shown by the children.
Income-generating projects
They should be set up to increase economic opportunities and organize training to facilitate entrepreneurship. Eventually, the youths will become financially independent thus reducing offenses like theft and also create a sense of responsibility at an early age as they grow to be adults.
Call of action
For the delinquency programs and policies to work, the local government must give priority to the marginalized youths. It should emphasize matters concerning the youth and especially where they conflict with the law. Local authorities should be highly involved in the implementation of juvenile justice and in preventing young people from committing crimes and also in supporting the delinquents in re-establishing themselves back into the society through the help of support projects.
Works sited
Einstein Law. “Juvenile delinquency prevention.” Lawyer shop.com. Einstein Industries, 2008. Web.
Roberts, Cynthia. “Juvenile Delinquency: Cause and Effect.” Crime and Punishment, vol. 2, 2000. Web.
Snyder, H. N., Sickmund, M. “Juvenile offenders and victims: 2006 National Report.” National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center. 2008.
United Nations. “World youth report: juvenile delinquency”. United nation’s website. 2003. Web.