the impact of external societal factors on a juvenile's decision to participate in delinquency
Briefly discuss the impact of external societal factors on a juvenile's decision to participate in delinquency. As part of the response, identify at least three (3) different external societal factors that can influence a juvenile when deciding whether to participate in delinquent behavior.
Sample Solution
External societal factors play a significant role in influencing a juvenile's decision to engage in delinquent behavior. These factors create environments and pressures that can push vulnerable youth towards criminal activity. Here's a brief discussion and some key factors:
Impact of External Societal Factors:
- Social Learning:
- Juveniles learn behaviors by observing those around them. Exposure to delinquent peers or adults can normalize and even glorify criminal activity, making it seem acceptable.
- Media portrayals of violence and crime can also desensitize youth and influence their perceptions of acceptable behavior.
- Strain Theory:
- When juveniles feel blocked from achieving socially accepted goals (like financial success or social status), they may experience strain.
- This strain can lead to frustration and anger, which can manifest in delinquent behavior as a way to achieve those goals through illegitimate means.
Full Answer Section
- Social Control Theory:
- Strong social bonds (with family, school, and community) deter delinquency.
- Weakened social bonds, due to factors like family instability or lack of community support, increase the likelihood of delinquent behavior.
Three External Societal Factors:
- Peer Influence:
- Association with delinquent peers is a strong predictor of juvenile delinquency. Peer pressure can lead youth to engage in behaviors they wouldn't otherwise consider, in order to gain acceptance or avoid rejection.
- Socioeconomic Factors (Poverty):
- Poverty can create environments of stress, limited opportunities, and exposure to crime.
- Juveniles from disadvantaged backgrounds may resort to delinquent acts as a means of survival or to obtain material goods.
- Community Environment:
- Living in a high-crime neighborhood can expose juveniles to violence, drugs, and other forms of delinquency.
- Lack of access to positive role models, recreational activities, and educational resources can further contribute to the problem.
- Also a lack of community support systems.
It's important to understand that these factors often interact and compound each other, creating complex pathways to juvenile delinquency.