Nature And Consequences Of Juvenile Delinquency
(A Study Of Enugu North Lga, Enugu State)
Juvenile delinquency, a complex issue rooted in various social, economic, and psychological factors, entails the involvement of minors in unlawful behaviors or activities. It encompasses a spectrum of offenses, including vandalism, substance abuse, theft, and violence, reflecting a departure from societal norms and legal boundaries. The causes of juvenile delinquency are diverse, ranging from familial dysfunction and peer influence to socioeconomic disparities and inadequate access to education and community resources. Consequences of juvenile delinquency extend beyond the individual, affecting families, communities, and the justice system. For the juvenile, repercussions may include legal sanctions, psychological trauma, and hindered educational and employment opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of delinquency and marginalization. Additionally, communities grapple with increased crime rates, strained social services, and diminished trust in institutions. Addressing juvenile delinquency demands a holistic approach, integrating prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation efforts to nurture positive youth development and foster supportive environments conducive to law-abiding behavior and meaningful engagement in society.
Juvenile delinquency is seen as one of the menace that destroys life and property in our society today. Because of the nature of crime committed by juvenile parents, guidance, sponsors and well wishers are worried and disturbed about our future leaders. Crime associated with juvenile include: rape, stealing, kleptomanism, burglary, disobedience, homicide, truancy, vandalization and robbery etc. therefore, this study seeks to look at the nature and consequences of juvenile delinquency. The objective of this study aims at finding out why juvenile engage in delinquent act, why juvenile offenders continue in crime after being punished or sanctioned, what Nigeria government needs to do inorder to improve or educate juvenile about crime and the negative impact of crime on individual and society at large. However, the expected outcome of this study is that to reduce or eradicate juvenile delinquency in our society government and voluntary organization should be involved in the following ways: Government should provide employment opportunities for youths, greater thought should be given to setting up more amenities in the rural areas, stoppage of pornographic films and some American films, where our youths learns techniques in stealing and destroying properties, parents should adopt method of positive and negative reinforcement and government should educate or enlightening parent on the effects of unmet needs like starvation (food), parental care and affection etc. on their children to enable them (parents) make adjustment. Method of data collection used in this study was only questionnaire.
Title Page
Approval Page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Research Questions
1.4 Objectives of the Study
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO:
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 An Overview of Juvenile Delinquency
2.2 Causes of Juvenile Delinquency in Nigeria
2.2.1 Biological Cause
2.2.2 Parental Cause
2.2.3 Societal Cause
2.3 Consequences of Juvenile Delinquency in Nigeria
2.4 Review of Related Theories
2.4.1 Social Learning Theory
2.4.2 Social Strain Theory
2.4.3 Behavioural Theory
2.5 Theoretical Framework
CHAPTER THREE:
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Study Area
3.3 Population of the Study
3.4 Sample Size
3.5 Sampling Technique
3.6 Instruments for Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Collection
CHAPTER FOUR:
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Presentation of Personal Characteristic of Respondents
4.2 Analysis of Research Questions
CHAPTER FIVE:
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Juvenile delinquency is that behaviour on the part of children
which may, under the law, subject those children to juvenile court.
Tappan (1972:12) assert that “the nature of juvenile delinquency sprang
up from different abnormal behaviour such as stealing, drunkenness,
burglary, robbery, rape, homicide, idleness, truancy, prostitution,
disobedience, running away from home, kleptomanism and sexual
promiscuity. Furthermore, it is nothing but a fact to say that juvenile
offenders who after serving a good or complete numbers of his or her
punishment in prison and still continue in deviance is because they are
associated with adult prisoners. In this regard Mr. Sanusi, project
Director of Lawyers continued Education Project (LAWCEP)
maintained that “in our society, where the process of trial is delayed
unduly, the young offender spends more time with hardened criminals
than elsewhere.
Different forms of delinquency have been with man as far back as
we can think but modern trends have made them take a very sharp rise.
Glucks (1959) found out that juvenile delinquency is not a new
occurrence during adolescent years but rather a continuation of anti
social behaviours from childhood due to environmental subjections or
family problems affecting his mental development. That is to say that
there exit a close link between delinquency and the home environment of
the juvenile. The earliest known code of laws (the Code of Hammurabi)
took specific note of the duties of children to parents and prescribed
punishments for violations. As legal systems were elaborated, the age of
offenders continued to be important in defining responsibility for
criminal behaviour.
The Nigerian constitution of 1979 defines juvenile delinquency as
“a crime committed by a young person under the age of 18 years as a
result of trying to comply with the wishes of his peers or to escape from
parental pressure or certain emotional stimulation’. Before a youth in
Nigeria is classified a delinquent, he must have been arraigned before a
juvenile court and proved to be guilty of some offences. Examples of
such offences are habitual truancy, drug addiction, prostitution, stealing,
cultism, armed robbery etc. The consequences that juvenile delinquency
has caused to Nigerian society are not only devastating but numerous.
They destroy both lives and property and they also retard the growth of
this country.
Juvenile delinquency has also contributed to the bad image of our
country (Nigeria). For the fact that most of the delinquent want to get
rich quick, corruption and ritual killings has become the order of the day
in coming to our political sphere, they have turn politics into a do or die
affair where thuggery and fighting is the norm. This has made politics in
our country (Nigeria) a dangerous venture.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
If an investigation or a study is carried out about juvenile
delinquency in Nigeria, the result will definitely show that cases like
rampant stealing, armed robbery, prostitution, manslaughter, drug
addiction, vandalization, truancy, murder, rape, cultism, burglary and
kleptomanism and many other crimes and delinquent behaviour are
common among the youth.
Because of the alarming rate of juvenile delinquency in our
country today, governments, parents, guidance, sponsors, teachers,
moralists and well meaning Nigerians have all picked interest on its
adverse effects in our society. Also the increasing waves of juvenile
delinquency in our country place lives, properties and future of our
youth at stake. For example, in 1989, records of crime as reported by the
Lagos state police command revealed that youths between the ages of
thirteen (13) and twenty one (21) were responsible for adult. 13,782 out
of 26,259 crimes committed this year i.e. 1989 were juvenile. Such
crime ranges from shop looting, drug abuse, fighting, raping and stealing
etc.
The similar report also indicated that in the same year (1989) out
of 43,000 prisoners serving in various Nigerian prisons, over 23,000 of
them were aged between the ages of thirteen (13) and twenty five (25)
years. Therefore, this study seeks to look at the nature, consequences and
extent of juvenile delinquency in Nigeria among our youth.
1.3 Research Questions The following research questions were used to guide this study:
1. Why do juvenile engage in delinquent acts?
2. Why do juvenile offenders continue in crime after being punished
or sanctioned?
3. How can Nigerian government improve or educate youth or
juvenile about crime?
4. What are the negative impacts of delinquent or crime on
individual and society at large?
1.4 Objective of the Study The objective of this study is as follows:
1. To find out the extent why juvenile engage in delinquent acts.
2. To ascertain the extent juvenile offenders continue in crime after
being punished or sanctioned.
3. To find out what Nigerian government need to do in order to
improve or educate juvenile about crime.
4. To determine the negative impact of crime on individual and
society at large.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study looks at the nature and consequences of juvenile
delinquency in Nigeria. In all ramifications, the study does not claim the
fact that all Nigerian juvenile are criminals or culprits or law violators so
to say.
The study is very beneficial to learning and development
processes and helps our youth to be aware of those things that may lead
them to delinquent acts and avoid them. The study will also help parents,
guidance, sponsors etc to know those things they need to do inorder to
prevent their children from so called delinquent acts.
The study goes a long way to unleash those things our government
needs to do inorder to educate our juvenile and prevent them from future
delinquent acts. In conclusion, this study is significant because it seeks
to determine to what extent juvenile commit crime, why they continued
in delinquent act and as well as the result of their delinquent acts to
themselves and society at large.
1.6 Definition of Terms
Nature: This is defined as the usual way a person or an animal behaves
that is part of their character.
Consequence: This simply means a result of something that has
happened.
Juvenile: This refers to a person who has attained the age of 14 but is
under 17 years. That is a young person who is not yet an adult (Oxford
English Dictionary).
Delinquent: It is a person who deviates from or violated the stipulated
law that guides code of conduct of a particular country or society.
Juvenile Delinquency: Andy (1960:30) defined it as any social
deviation by a youth from the societal norms which results in his contact
with law enforcement agents. It is an act committed by a young person
which violated the stipulated law of that country or society.
Burglary: It is defined as a crime of entering a building illegally and
stealing things from it.
Robbery: It is defined as a crime of stealing money or goods from a
bank, shop/store, person etc especially using violence or threat.
Rape: This is simply a crime of forcing somebody to have sex with
him/her especially using threat or violence.
Homicide: This simply means a crime of killing somebody deliberately.
Stealing: This means an act of taking something from a person’s
shop/store, etc. without permission and without intending to return it or
pay for it.
Truancy: This simply means a practice of staying away from school
without permission. It is a crime to juvenile.
Disobedience: This is defined as a failure or refusing to do what a
person, law, order etc. tells.
Kleptomanism: It is simply a mental illness in which somebody has a
strong desire, which they cannot control in stealing things. It is common
among juvenile.
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Juvenile delinquency refers to the participation of minors, typically individuals under the age of 18, in illegal behavior or activities that are considered antisocial or criminal in nature. This behavior can range from minor offenses to more serious crimes. Understanding the nature and consequences of juvenile delinquency is crucial for addressing its underlying causes and implementing effective interventions.
Nature of Juvenile Delinquency:
- Causes and Risk Factors: Juvenile delinquency can be influenced by a combination of individual, family, community, and societal factors. Some common causes and risk factors include poverty, family dysfunction, peer pressure, lack of parental supervision, substance abuse, educational problems, and exposure to violence.
- Types of Offenses: Juvenile delinquency can encompass a wide range of offenses, including property crimes (such as theft and vandalism), violent crimes (such as assault and robbery), drug offenses, gang involvement, and status offenses (acts that are illegal only because of the offender’s age, like truancy or curfew violations).
- Developmental Factors: Adolescence is a period of significant physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Juveniles may engage in delinquent behavior as they navigate the challenges of identity formation and peer relationships, often seeking independence and validation.
Consequences of Juvenile Delinquency:
- Legal Consequences: Juvenile delinquents can face a range of legal consequences, depending on the severity of the offense and the legal system of the jurisdiction. These consequences may include probation, community service, mandatory counseling or treatment, detention in juvenile facilities, or even transfer to adult court for more serious offenses.
- Long-Term Effects: Juvenile delinquency can have long-lasting impacts on the lives of young offenders. A criminal record can hinder educational and employment opportunities, making it more difficult to break the cycle of criminal behavior. It can also affect personal relationships and overall quality of life.
- Impact on Victims and Society: Juvenile delinquency doesn’t just affect the offenders themselves. It can also have a significant impact on victims of their crimes, as well as on the broader community. High levels of juvenile crime can lead to increased fear, reduced community cohesion, and strains on law enforcement and social services.
- Risk of Recidivism: Without proper intervention and support, juvenile offenders are at risk of becoming repeat offenders. Addressing the underlying causes of delinquency and providing rehabilitative programs can help reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
Prevention and Intervention:
- Early Intervention: Identifying at-risk youth early and providing appropriate interventions, such as mentoring, counseling, and after-school programs, can help steer them away from delinquent behavior.
- Family and Community Support: Strengthening family relationships and providing positive community support systems can buffer juveniles from the risk factors that contribute to delinquency.
- Educational and Vocational Opportunities: Providing access to quality education and vocational training can improve the prospects of juvenile offenders, making it less likely for them to engage in criminal activities.
- Restorative Justice Programs: These programs focus on repairing the harm caused by the offense, involving both the offender and the victim. They aim to teach accountability and empathy, potentially reducing the likelihood of reoffending.
- Counseling and Treatment: For juveniles involved in substance abuse or with mental health issues, targeted counseling and treatment can address underlying problems that contribute to delinquency.
Understanding the nature and consequences of juvenile delinquency is essential for creating effective policies and programs that aim to prevent and address these behaviors while promoting the rehabilitation and successful reintegration of young offenders into society.