What Causes Teens to Commit Juvenile Delinquency?

There are many thoughts about what causes juvenile delinquency. Some of these opinions are easy to discredit, while others seem to be more of a personal opinion than fact. Yet, there are some scientifically-based reasons associated with Juvenile delinquency.

School Problems

Children having lower attendance and trouble with schoolwork when they are at school are more likely to get into trouble. These children often feel like outsiders in their class. This lack of discipline for going to school on a regular basis gives these children a sense that school, and by proxy authority, is not important.

Students who fall behind in school or have a difficult time feel less-than the other and do not want to be in school.

While some special programs are in place to help these children with their schoolwork, they don’t always work. In fact, there are cases where placing these children into remedial classes often makes them feel worse.

The only real solution is active interactions with these children from parents and school staff. This makes children feel secure about going to school and their schoolwork without calling them out as being behind,

Lack of Adult Influence

Children mimic their parents and other close adults. This is how it has always been. Even though this mimicking slows as the children age, it still happens. Children also seek approval from their parents or adult guardians. Lack of this approval or the inability to gain it can turn into Juvenile delinquency.

The old saying that a child will “act up to get attention” is true. Sometimes bad attention is acceptable to the child. It is better than no attention. If a child cannot get guidance from a parent or close adult, they will seek this guidance elsewhere; often in the wrong places.

Basic Necessities

There are living conditions that make it impossible for a child or teen to stay out of trouble. Lack of food, clean clothes, or a safe and warm place to sleep can drive a child to criminal acts so that they can provide those necessities for themselves.

Sadly, many children get into trouble to provide for themselves miss school. They have little adult influence and turn to a less desirable crowd of associates to get what they need to survive. It is an escalating problem that can lead to a lifetime of criminal activity if left unchecked.

Peer Pressure

Saying that peer pressure can lead to juvenile delinquency seems a little bit cliché. Cliché or not, it is still a very prominent factor in delinquency. If a child finds themselves surrounded by other people getting into trouble, they are more likely to get into trouble so that they fit in.

In high crime areas, many children and teens will give in to peer pressure as a way to stay safe. Children that would otherwise avoid breaking the law may find it necessary to break the rules so that they are not harmed by local gangs or abusive adults.

Just Because A Teen Gets Into Trouble Does Not Mean They Have To Stay In Trouble

If you look at the causes of delinquency, you can see there is a common theme. Lack of parental involvement in the lives of the child or teen can open the door to delinquency. Just because a teen gets into trouble does not mean they have to stay in trouble for the rest of their lives.

If your child accused of a criminal act, the first thing that you need to do is speak to a Waukesha criminal defense lawyer. They are commits to juvenile delinquency cases. They understand the importance of representing the accused to get the best possible outcome for their case.

Many children and teens that get into trouble have a backstory that must be examined and evaluated and heard. The court must know what the driving force behind the actions. This is the only way that the accused can get a fair trial. It is also the only way to establish a fair penalty if a penalty is necessary.

Your Waukesha criminal defense lawyer may be able to show the court that different interventions would be more appropriate for the teen that is standing accused. Instead of a conviction and jail time, the teen may benefit more from a program that encourages growth and understanding. They may need counseling and addiction rehabilitation. There may be other programs available that would help the teen recover and move on from this mistake.

It has been shown that if given a chance, many children and teens that get into trouble and have to go before the court will change their lives if given a chance. Because there is this much potential for turning their lives around with the right outcome to the trial, every effort should be made at rehabilitation programs that do not brand the accused as a criminal.

Mistakes are made, especially when you are a teen. Teens are still learning how to make the right choices as they approach adulthood, and sometimes, they do not make the right ones. It is the obligation of society to find a way for these teens to be given a second chance so that they can make the right choices now and in the future.