Juvenile Justice System. In your opinion, how does the family influence juvenile delinquency? Provide an example from an outside source of when a child was delinquent because of the family’s influence. You may use newspaper articles in your response. Please be sure to provide a link to the source you use.
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The family plays a crucial role in shaping the behavior and development of children, including their potential involvement in juvenile delinquency. A supportive and nurturing family environment can help prevent delinquency, while a dysfunctional or neglectful family can contribute to its occurrence. It’s important to note that individual circumstances vary, and not all cases of delinquency can be attributed solely to family influence. However, family factors can significantly impact a child’s likelihood of engaging in delinquent behavior.
One example of how family influence can contribute to juvenile delinquency is highlighted in a case reported by The New York Times in 2017. The article discusses the story of a 16-year-old boy named Alex, who had a history of truancy and theft. The article points to family dysfunction as a significant factor in Alex’s delinquent behavior.
According to the article, Alex’s parents were divorced, and his father had minimal involvement in his life. His mother, who struggled with substance abuse, was frequently absent, leaving Alex unsupervised for extended periods. The lack of parental guidance and support left Alex susceptible to negative peer influences and exposed him to an environment where delinquent behavior was prevalent.
You can read the full article here: link to The New York Times article
In this case, the family’s influence, characterized by parental absence, substance abuse, and an unstable home environment, contributed to Alex’s delinquency. The lack of positive role models and guidance, as well as exposure to risky behaviors, increased his vulnerability to engage in delinquent activities.
It’s worth noting that this is just one example, and there are various other ways in which family dynamics can influence juvenile delinquency. Each case is unique, and it is essential to consider a range of factors, including individual circumstances, community influences, and peer interactions, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the causes of delinquency.
