Research question- Does leading factors cause juvenile delinquency and behaviors?Project Description:
(Describe what your project is about and your objectives)
Our project is about juvenile delinquency and the leading factors that cause juveniles to have delinquent behavior. Our objectives are to research different subtopics of the causes of juvenile delinquency.
– community and peers
Hypothesis 1: Juveniles with the positive community and peer relationships are less likely to participate in juvenile delinquency.
– family background
Hypothesis 2: Juveniles living with cohabiting parents (IV) are likely to develop delinquent behaviors(DV).
– Substance Abuse
– Education/ School to Prison pipeline
Hypothesis 3 substance abuse
– The interaction of (substance abuse IV) in juveniles leads them to the involvement of (delinquency. DV) Children that abuse illegal substances have a higher rate of juvenile delinquency than those who do not partake in substance abuse.
Hypothesis 4 mental health: Does a co-relationship exists between mental health(IV) and juvenile delinquency (DV)? The Unstableness of mental illness can elevate the likelihood of juvenile delinquency.
Hypothesis education 5: The likelihood of student experiences within zero-tolerance school policies will introduce children to school to prison pipeline.
Theoretical basis: (list the theories and explain how the
Theoretical basis: (list the theories and explain how they are related to your hypotheses; discuss at least six research articles based on which you will develop your project)
Substance Abuse -Strain theory had a strong correlation with the evidence found within this research article (Sharma, S., Sharma, G., Barkataki B. 2016).. Strain theory explains that with different strains and stressors in an individual it can increase the likelihood of committing the crime (Agnew & Scheuerman. 2019). This article stated that 100 million children are living on the streets and that 90% of the children abuse drugs (Sharma, S., Sharma, G., Barkataki B. 2016). They abuse substances to help cope with the stressors of living on the streets and while under the influence they are more susceptible to delinquent behavior. This relates to my hypothesis by showing that juvenile substance abuse leads to the involvement of delinquency and a higher rate of crime from children who abuse illegal substances than those who do not. In a second article, social learning theory explains that people learn from one another through observation and then imitate their actions (Copur, M., Turkcan, A., Erdogrmus, M. 2005). This article explains that cannabis and volatile substances were the most commonly used by the detained juveniles and that the age it was first used averaged at 13.5 years old (Copur, M., Turkcan, A., Erdogrmus, M. 2005). In my opinion, a 13-year-old should not have the option or the knowledge of cannabis or volatile substances unless they’ve had help from their family or friends. After being introduced to these substances and abusing them they became a juvenile delinquent. According to this article, 34% of detainees were under these substances influence(Copur, M., Turkcan, A., Erdogrmus, M. 2005). This backs up my hypothesis with statistics that the interaction of substance abuse within juveniles leads to delinquent behavior. (
Education believe social learning theory will help me throughout my research process because most of the information I gather will reflect on why and how people learn from their community. This can be found within the article presented by Emily Ownes (Ownes, E, 2016). Edwin Sutherland the most important criminologist of the 20th century studied famous theories such as Social Learning and Differential Association. He then summarizes his idea of Social Learning in three basic premises; first, people act towards objects according to what those objects have for them. For example, this can include behaviors, physical objects like chairs or saluting the flag, and self including mother and father occupations. Secondly, people can reinterpret and redefine meaning for themselves, This means that parents taught their children to not do illegal drugs because it can harm them, but the children may think that it is cool since their friends are participating or they are interested. Lastly, people learn the meaning of objects in interaction with others. For instance, parents may have taught their children to salute the flag. Also, the rational choice theory will help me better understand how the school to prison pipeline works (Evans Cuellar, A., & Markowitz, S. 2015) Rational choice theory is simply defined as the view that individuals behave as they do because they believe that performing their chosen actions has more benefits than costs. Taking into consideration that most of the behaviors recorded in this study were not a Positivist nor a Constructionist perspective on deviant behavior, but more of an integrated view. The rational choice will explain why students are making early decisions that could affect their life later.
Family background Kierkus, Johnson, & Hewitt examines the way different structures influences delinquent behaviors. Social control theory relates to my hypothesis because the structure of their families affects their behaviors. Social control theory focuses on the roles of society and family structure. It is said that crime occurs when the foundation is not fully established or if family relationships are broken (Kierkus, Johnson, & Hewitt, 2010). The root of social control starts with family structure and involvement. Although the family structure is the root of social control, society also influences deviant acts. There are four elements used to determine factors associated with society’s influence: attachment, commitment, involvement, and beliefs. These factors are social bonds; if the social bonds are weak then the level of deviance increases. The second article, by Manning & Lamb, researches the interactions between a child’s caregiver and the child based on family structure to determine if these factors result in the development of delinquent acts. Based on this article, attachment theory relates most because of the interactions between parents and child. Attachment theory is the development of a parent and child’s relationship. Based on its definition, the child is developing a sense of security from the parent. If the parent and child have a healthy attachment, the child feels protected and secure through all aspects. On the other hand, if the attachment is unhealthy, it could cause the child to develop delinquent behaviors. The structure of the family plays a big role in attachment. Cohabitating family structures differ from usual family structures which cause different developmental outcomes. Research states that children living with their biological married parents are better off than children living with cohabiting parents (Manning & Lamb, 2003).
Mental health-Based on the information from these two articles; From Mental Health to Juvenile Justice: What Factors Predict This Transition, and Psychiatric disorder in youth in Juvenile, the authors show some interrelation between delinquency and mental health. According to a study conducted in, From Mental Health to Juvenile Justice: What Factors Predict This Transition, it was noted that 67% of the youths in that facility were suffering from mental problems that led them to commit such crimes (Scott, 2002). From a theoretical perspective, the article above focus more on biological/biosocial factors that result in such youths involving themselves in crime.It is noted that some of these youths have biological challenges that could impact their behaviors negatively early on in life into adolescence.Additionally, Psychiatric disorder in youth juvenile detention article, the author focuses more on theories from a psychological approach on certain behaviors of juvenile offenders(Teplin, 2002). These researched behaviors give a clear understanding and explanation of individual factors that influence juvenile delinquency. For this reason, in a study mentioned in the above article, two-thirds of males and three-quarters of females met the criteria for more than one psychiatric disorder. Consequently, physical/sexual abuse, dysfunctional family environment, parental substance abuse poverty, poor education, social disorganization, and neglect are all risk factors for the development of disorders that are common for juvenile delinquency(Teplin, 2002). When such youths are raised by parents who are having domestic problems, it might result in them developing psychological problems.
Community and peers-In the article,When Is Spending Time With Peers Related to Delinquency? The Importance of Where, What, and With Whom, a study is done regarding juvenile behavior in the Netherlands (Weerman, Bernaso, Bruinsma, & Pauwels, 2015) their findings support social control theory because they found that unsupervised time spent with two or more peers, mostly socializing, with no structured activity is strongly correlated with delinquent behavior . Herschi’s social control theory most relates to this article. Herschi’s theory states that juveniles with strong social bonds are less likely to commit crime, and an important part of that bond is spending conventional time with peers such as playing sports, participating in clubs, and other structured activities. This theory relates to my hypothesis because I’m predicting that juveniles with positive community and peer relationships are less likely to participate in delinquency, and Hershi’s mentioned activities build those positive relationships. Therefore, we can infer that participating in a structured, supervised activity would make an adolescent less likely to participate in juvenile behavior. In another article, Civic Community and Juvenile Delinquency, they looked at the civility of different communities and how that correlates with juvenile delinquency (Gatti, Tremblay, & Larocque, 2003). Their findings strongly relate to social learning theory. Social learning theory says that juveniles’ behavior is strongly influenced by their social world and juveniles are less likely to participate in delinquency in communities where criminal behavior is not normalized. This study found that in communities where more adults respect the norms, participate in civic associations, and participate in cultural activities, there was significantly less crime (Gatti, et al., 2003). This also supports my hypothesis because I predicted that juveniles with positive community relationships are less likely to participate in juvenile delinquency.
Data description and collection: (what you are going to collect to test your hypotheses and how)
: For my data collection,
I think I want to interview current high school students who attend zero policy
schools. I would like to survey approximately 30 students from each school; 15
boys and 15 girls. The students I use will range from freshman, sophomore,
junior and senior classes. Before conducting the survey I will let the students
know that I am using their data for research purposes in a project, their
answers are voluntary, and it will address some concerns. These students may be
subject to taking an anonymous 20-25 question survey. The data I collect will
help me analyze ways the zero-tolerance policy is benefiting or affecting them
inside and outside of school. Questions may include things regarding their
family (household), a number of in-school/ out-of-school suspensions (if any),
involvement in delinquent behavior, and etc. *Common concerns of low
self-control, parenting influence on the development of self-control, and the
interaction of opportunity and low self-control in both school and crime.*
– For data collection, secondary data would be of choice to measure my hypothesis. Although secondary information has been questioned, I do believe secondary data can provide the necessary information that is reliable and pertinent to link mental illness with juvenile delinquency.
The best
way to collect data from my hypothesis is through statistical measurements
based on age, gender, family structure, and delinquent behaviors. This way we
can see if there will be correlations between the child’s family structure and
behaviors. The results from this study will confirm that cohabitation leads to
delinquent behavior.
– For my data collection I
will be distributing a questionnaire of 20 questions to the students in the
criminal justice department. The questions will be revolving around their
decisions made as an adolescent and also the types of behavior they have seen
from their adolescent friends. Also if they themselves or have had any friends
become delinquents due to substance abuse. I will inform them that the
questionnaire will be anonymous, voluntary and used only for the purpose of a
research study. The data collected from each questionnaire will provide me with
statistics of how many people abused substances as an adolescent and if they
were involved in any delinquent activity.
For my data collection I would like to collect data from adolescents via a questionnaire. The questions would be about age, gender, activities in school, peer groups, and community life. There would also be questions regarding their delinquent behavior and whether or not they participate in it. This would help me see if there is a correlation between their responses about their school activities, peers, community, and whether or not they participate in juvenile behavior.
To collect our data we will distribute an online survey to the undergraduate students of Old University regarding their adolescent experiences from 6th grade to 12th grade. It will include questions regarding, peers, community, family life, substance abuse, mental health, in school punishment, and delinquent behavior.
References
Agnew, R., & Scheuerman, H. (2019, August 20). obo. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195396607/obo-9780195396607-0005.xml
Cuellar, & Markowitz. (2015). School suspension and the school-to-prison pipeline. International Review of Law & Economics, 43, 98-106.
COPUR, M., TURKCAN, A., & ERDOGMUSM. (2005). Substance abuse, conduct disorder and crime: Assessment in a juvenile detention house in Istanbul, Turkey. Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, 59(2), 151–154. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1819.2005.01350.x
Gatti, U., Tremblay, R., & Larocque, D. (2003). Civic Community and Juvenile Delinquency. A Study of the Regions of Italy. The British Journal of Criminology, 43(1), 22-40.
Kierkus, C., Johnson, B., & Hewitt, J. (2010). Cohabiting, Family and Community Stressors, Selection, and Juvenile Delinquency. Criminal Justice Review, 35(4), 393-411.
Manning, W., & Lamb, K. (2003). Adolescent Well-Being in Cohabiting, Married, and Single-Parent Families. Journal of Marriage and Family, 65(4), 876-893.
Owens, E. (2017). Testing the School‐to‐Prison Pipeline. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 36(1), 11-37.
Scott, M. A., Snowden, L., & Libby, A. M. (2002). From mental health to juvenile justice: What factors predict this transition? Journal of Child and Family Studies, 11(3), 299-311.
Sharma, S., Sharma, G., & Barkataki, B. (2016). Substance use and criminality among juveniles-under-enquiry in New Delhi. Indian journal of psychiatry, 58(2), 178–182. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.183791
Teplin, L. A., Abram, K. M., McClelland, G. M., Dulcan, M. K., & Mericle, A. A. (2002). Psychiatric Disorders in Youth in Juvenile Detention. Archives of general psychiatry, 59(12), 1133-1143.
Weerman, F., Bernasco, W., Bruinsma, G., & Pauwels, L. (2015). When Is Spending Time With Peers Related to Delinquency? The Importance of Where, What, and With Whom. Crime & Delinquency, 61(10), 1386-1413.
