“Bad parenting and juvenile delinquency”
The connection between parenting styles and juvenile behavior continues to be an area of significant research interest. While early studies emphasized links between neglectful or abusive parenting and delinquency, more recent longitudinal data points to a nuanced interplay of familial, social and individual risk factors.
Authoritative parenting, characterized by warmth, appropriate monitoring and clear boundaries, remains strongly associated with positive youth development. However, indulgent styles alone do not necessarily correlate with conduct issues. Relationship quality appears more influential than strictness of rules. When children feel heard, respected and able to seek guidance from caring parents, they are less prone to act out or engage in risky peer dynamics.
At the same time, lack of parental involvement or presence of conflict/hostility in the home can undermine a child’s self-esteem and sense of security. This may drive them to seek belonging through delinquent peers or activities. Neighborhood context like proximity to violence, gang activity or substance abuse availability also shape a developing adolescent’s perceptions of what is normal or acceptable. Genetic predispositions towards impulsivity or aggression can further compound environmental risks.
Recent research also illuminates how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, parental mental illness/substance abuse, or incarceration of a family member are linked to long-term physical and mental health issues as well as criminal behavior. The more ACEs accumulated in a person’s history, the greater their risk of social, emotional and cognitive impairments down the line. Prevention and early intervention efforts must consider the whole ecology of a child’s world.
In summary, while parenting quality strongly shapes youth outcomes, delinquency stems from multifaceted interactions over time between the individual, family and community realms. A balanced, nurturing home environment remains crucial for healthy development, but other social determinants also demand policy attention. A nuanced, multidisciplinary approach holds the most promise for understanding and addressing this complex issue.
Hoffmann, J. P., & Dufur, M. J. (2018). Family structure, child well-being, and social capital. Marriage & Family Review, 54(8), 711–736. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2018.1474408
Font, S. A., & Maguire-Jack, K. (2016). Pathways from childhood abuse and other adversities to adult health risks: The role of adult socioeconomic conditions. Child Abuse & Neglect, 51, 390–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.05.013
Farrington, D. P., Loeber, R., & Howell, J. C. (2012). Young adult offenders: The need for more effective legislative options and justice processing. Criminology & Public Policy, 11(4), 729–750. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9133.2012.00837.x
Legal Analysis of Hypothetical International Criminal Law Situations
Assessment 1 details Carefully read and follow all instructions in the exam before you begin. This online take home exam will be made available on 7 September 2023 at 10am and must be submitted on or before 8 September 2023 at 12:10pm. You must upload your paper before the due date and time: 8 September […]
