CANDIDATES NAME: Shanese Baker

SUBJECT: Social studies

SCHOOL: Manchester High School
YEAR SUBMITTED: 2011

RATIONALE
This Social Studies School Based Assessment (SBA) will tell you everything you need
to know about juvenile delinquency. This includes the causes, effects and possible
solution to the social issue. First off juvenile delinquency is an antide social or criminal act
and is mostly perform by young people under the age of eighteen. As a researcher, it would
be of great significance to research and analyze the activities of delinquents and
investigate on the possible procedures authorities put in place to aid in the reduction
of delinquent activities in communities. Juvenile delinquency is becoming
widespread not just across the island, but across the globe. Student delinquency has
been a significant factor contributing to juvenile delinquency in Jamaica. The
researcher chose this topic because in community x there are young people
committing act such as murder and drug trafficking. While discussing on that topic
the researcher wishes to find out what causes the young people to commit these
crimes, the effects of juvenile delinquency and possible solutions to juvenile
delinquency.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

First and foremost, I must take the time out to recognize and admit the goodness of
Jesus Christ, throughout the completion of this research. Besides my perseverance, if
it was not for his added health and strength, and his unconstrained blessings toward
me, I would not have made it.

The completion of this research could not have been attained without me receiving
assistance from several sources in various forms. I just want to express my sincere
gratitude to all those who have assisted me in a remarkable and unwavering way,
resulting in the successful completion of this study.

Overall, this research was indeed a fairly good one, which did acquire much time,
dedication and competence, upon its completion. Again, I must say a big thanks you
to all those who made this research a success.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
What are the main causes and effects of Juvenile delinquency in community x; and
what measures can be implemented to solve this problem?

RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

What are the possible causes of juvenile delinquency in community x?

To what extent does juvenile delinquency affects the lives of residents in

community x?

How can juvenile delinquency be reduced in community x?

METHOD OF RESEARCH
In order to collect relevant information, the researcher administered printed
questionnaires as a tool for collecting data. The questionnaires as a tool have a
number of pros:

It is less time consuming

It guarantees privacy as no names are attached

It can be done at the convenience of the person required to have it completed

Secondary sources were also used to supplement the information that was retrieved
from the questionnaires and to give the researcher a better understanding of the
topic being understudied. Some of these sources are:

Textbook

Internet

Textbooks

Instrument Used To Collect Data

New River District,
Santa Cruz P.O,
St. Elizabeth.
January 10 2011

Dear Respondents,
This is a survey being carried out in Community X, to find out what accounts for the
causes of juvenile delinquency in the community. This survey will surely help the
researcher because it is being done as an assignment for the Social Studies course
that the researcher is currently pursuing.
I am, kindly asking you to answer the following questions by putting a tick in the box
provided [] or write your responds on the line provided. Your identity will not be
revealed, so please feel free to participate.
Thanking you in advance.
Yours truly,
.
(insert name)

QUESTIONNAIRE
INSTRUCTION:

1.

Kindly answer the following questions by putting a tick in

the appropriate box provided [].

What gender are you?

Female
Male

2.

To which of the following age group do you belong?

16-20
21-25
26-30
30-35
Over 35

3.

[]
[]

[
[
[
[
[

]
]
]
]
]

How long have you been living in the community?

1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
Over 15 years

4.

[]

Is juvenile delinquency a problem in your community?

Yes
No

5.

[]
[]
[]

[]
[]

What are the age groups in which juvenile delinquency is most

prevalent?
13-15
16-18
19-21
Other
6.

[]
[]
[]

What are the possible causes of juvenile delinquency in the

community?
Lack of proper parental guidance
Peer pressure
Poor living conditions
Refusal to work
7.

[]
[]
[ ]
[ ]

To what extent does juvenile delinquency affects the life of residents

in the community?
Causes the community to be look down on

[]
7

The community is plagued by crime and violence

Moving away of people from the community
Other
8.

How do you rate the approach of the government in dealing with

juvenile delinquency?
Good
Fair
Poor

9.

[]
[]

[]
[]
[]

What are the attitudes shown toward delinquents in the community?

Sympathy [ ]
Resentment
[]
Tolerance [ ]
Kindness
[]
Other
_______

10.

What can be done to prevent juvenile delinquency?

Parent spending more time with their children
Enlighten children on the influence of peer pressure
Regular counselling
Having children participating in sports and recreational activities
Other

[
[
[
[

]
]
]
]

11. What can parents do to reduce Juvenile Delinquency in the

community?
Motivational talks on the effect of juvenile delinquency.
[]
Institute workshop programmes geared towards reducing idling of
young people.
[]
Having regular counselling sessions for juveniles.
[]
Other

12. What are some of the negative effects do unemployment have on an

individual?
Unable to provide food
[]
Unable to provide clothing
[]
Lack of ability to meet certain financial records
[]
13. If the government builds training centers which offers skills training
and job replacements, do you think it would?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
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PROCEDURE FOR DATA COLLECTION

Juvenile Delinquency in the community occurs primarily in low income families and
this has a vast impact on both the community and the society in general. The
community has approximately 250 households. It was calculated that a sample of
18% (18/100 x 250 = 45) was necessary in order to collect the data.
The researcher prepared and distributes 50 Questionnaires, from which 45 was
collected. These were handed out to households randomly and an assessment was
made as to when and where the questionnaires would be collected. On Saturday,
September 15, 2010, the researcher went to collect the questionnaires. However,
there were a few setbacks whereby some of the questionnaires were not yet
completed due to lack of understanding associated with other factors such as time
among others.
To end this, the researcher had to take the time out to explain the questions to those
participants who did not understand and therefore had to make other arrangements
to collect them at a later date and time convenient to the respondents.

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PRESENTATION OF DATA
Based on the analysis, the researcher has select five (5) to represent the data
collected. This data is represented using graphs and chart.

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Data Presentation
What are the possible causes of juvenile delinquency

Figure 1 - illustrates the possible causes of juvenile delinquency in community x. It is

obvious that majority of respondents believed that a lack of proper parental guidance
is the major cause of juvenile delinquency in the community and as such accounted
for 38%. Twenty seven (27%) indicated that poor living condition was caused by
juvenile

delinquency,

fifteen

percent(15%)pointed

to

peer-pressure,

while

twenty( 20%) pointed to other reasons.

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WHAT ARE THE WAYS IN WHICH JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AFFECT

THE LIFES OF RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY.

Chart showing ways in which juvenile delinquency affects the lives of residents living in the community.

15%
Increase in children
dropping out of school
Result in gang wras
45%

Promiscous behavior of
juveniles
Increase in the level of
robbery in the community

30%

10%

Figure 2-Depicts the ways in which juvenile delinquency affects the lives of the
residents in the community. Forty five percent (45%) indicates that they are being
affected by an increase in school drop outs, thirty percent (30%) indicates that they
are being affected by juvenile promiscuous behaviors, fifteen percent (15%) pointed
to an increase in the level of robbery in the community, while ten
percent(10%)indicated a result in gang wars.

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What can be done to prevent juvenile delinquency

In Figure 3, They are different ways in which juvenile delinquency can be prevented.
Thirty five percent(35%) of respondents indicated that by parents spending more
time with their children, juvenile delinquency can be alleviated, twenty five
percent(25%) indicated that it can be prevented by enlightening their children on the
influence of peer pressure, while thirty percent(30%) indicated that by having
children participating in sports and recreational activities and ten percent(10%)
pointed out the other reasons that can help to prevent juvenile delinquency in the
community.

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WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PERVENT JUVENILE DELINQUENCY.

Chart showing the possible solutions for juvenile delinquency

65

15

10

35

Figure 4-illustrate that forty five percent(45%) said that parent spending more time
with their children can reduce the level of juvenile delinquency, fifteen percent(15%)
said the enlighten children on the influence of peer pressure, ten percent(10%)
agreed that juvenile get regular counseling and the next thirty five percent(35%)
agreed on having children participating in sports and recreational activities.

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WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF JUVENILE

DELINQUENCY IN THE COMMUNITY

10
25
35
30

opions parents can use to reduce the level of juvenile delinquency

Figure 5 Explain the what parents can do help reduce the level of juvenile
delinquency, thirty percent(30%)indicates to start an institute workshop
programmes gear towards reducing idling of young people, twenty five
percent(25%)saying having regular counseling sessions for juveniles, and the next
ten percent(10%)saying other option.

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EXPLANATION OF DATA
In the analysis of the study (which is centered around the research questions), it was
revealed that majority of participants believed that a lack of proper parental
guidance was the cause of juvenile delinquency in community x.In this case parents
are busy, may working and doesnt give or pay their children any attention. However,
minority indicated that poor living condition, peer pressure along with other reasons
contributed to juvenile delinquency in the community.
An increase in the level of robbery, gang wars, promiscuous behavior of juveniles and
an increase in school drop outs were the ways in which juvenile delinquency affects
the lives of residents living in community x. This at times proved to be unendurable,
just by seeing the youths on the streets during school time and not in school
facilitates depression and entertains frustration on both parents and other members
of the community.
Residents of the community have indicated that if parents spend more time with
their children was the key to preventing juvenile delinquency. Educating children on
the impact of peer-pressure and having then participating in sports and other
recreational activities was also an advantage. Some residents still believes that there
are other contributing factors that can be considered in preventing juvenile
delinquency.

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INTERPRETATION OF DATA
In the interpretation of this data, it is clear that community x is of a fact plagued by
Juvenile Delinquency. It is evident that the issue of juvenile delinquency has become
a growing concern amongst residents in the community and for that cause, has
disorganized the minds of our children. To this end, juvenile delinquency has
manifested itself intolerably to those around, thus facilitating discomfort, especially
to those who happen to deal with the affected individuals.
The analysis of the study has revealed that juvenile delinquency in community x is
as a result of lack of proper parental guidance of children living in the community
and as such accounted for 38%, being the highest contributor. A total of 27%
indicated that juvenile delinquency also bring about poor living conditions which
would further lead to peer-pressure which accounted for 15%, while another 20%
pointed to other reasons

The behavior of juvenile delinquency impacts the lives of people living in community
x in a negative way, as simple as some might perceive it to be. It is quite devastating
at times and turns out to be unbearable. The blunt of having to deal with an increase
in school dropouts is a painful one which proves to be really difficult most of the time
as it has an impacts on the children's wellbeing and their education on a whole; and
to this end, 45% of respondents have indicated to this fact. Promiscuous behaviors of
juveniles accounted for 35% and is definitely not a walk over for residents especially
parents who have to deal with these individuals. 10% pointed to gang wars while 15%
indicated an increase in the level of robbery in the community.

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The analysis also therefore indicated that there are diverse ways in which juvenile
delinquency can be prohibited. To this end, 35% of respondents indicated that by
parents spending more time with their children is one of the better ways to deal with
juvenile delinquency. Another 25% of participant indicated juvenile delinquency can
be prevented by parents/guardians enlightening their children on the influence of
peer pressure, 30% denoted that by having children participating in sports and
recreational activities, while 10% pointed to other reasons that can help to prevent
juvenile delinquency in the community.

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DATA FINDINGS
According to the findings of this research, it has been established by the majority of
respondents that there were quite a few problems associated with juvenile
delinquency in community x. It was also observed that juvenile delinquency not only
affect teenagers themselves but also their families and the community.
1.

Lack of proper parental guidance is the major causes of juvenile

delinquency and can be reduced in many ways as to lower the rate of
juvenile delinquency.

2.

The ways in which juvenile delinquency affects the lives of the residents
living in community are increasing by the dozen.

3.

The analysis therefore indicated that there are different ways in which
juvenile delinquency can be prevented. 35% of respondents indicated that by
parents spending more time with their children, juvenile delinquency can be
alleviated, 25% indicated that it can be prevented by enlightening their
children on the influence of peer pressure, while 30% indicated that by
having children participating in sports and recreational activities and 10%
pointed to other reasons that can help to prevent juvenile delinquency in the
community.

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RECOMMENDATIONS
As a result of the findings from the research, the researcher is recommending the
following suggestions:
Juvenile Delinquency is observed as a major problem faced at large by society. In
order to help alleviate this problem, In order to help alleviate this problem, the
researcher is suggesting that student counselors and guidance counselors in the
schools pay more attention to these areas and therefore by whatever means
encourage these students to direct their energy to something more valuable.
Teenager should be educated about the seriousness of crime and violence from an
early age. I believe that crime and violence should be a subject area in the curriculum
taught from the primary school level. The use of real life experiences (Example, Lee
Boyd Malvo was the case of lack of proper parental guidance which led to him being
influenced by John Allen Muhammad who was a serial killer, which accounted for his
inhumane behavior that led him to life imprisonment) are resources people can
use, as well as instrumental materials to emphasize the message to teenagers. In
addition, these classes or forum can be held in community centers and churches.
The employment of motivational talks should also be considered. Teenagers should
be knowledgeable about the effects of juvenile delinquency towards them,
establishing in the homes, at schools, in churches and other areas within the
community. The education process can also be done through the media; posters
mounted on communitys notice board or any other noticeable area that will facilitate
reading.

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INPLEMENTATION
The government can put in place an juvenile training center or school to reform and train
juveniles. It will focus on more on rehabilitation than punishment. In regards the training
institute will consider the best interests of the child emphasizing an informal and flexible
approach to treat offenders. The training center or hall will offer clinical programs with
individuals, groups or even family therapy. In order to keep the youths from falling behind in
education, the institute will offer academic courses, so the juveniles will have secure
employment after discharge. The juveniles will be discharged at the age of 18.

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BIBLOGRAPHY

Modules in Social Studies by Rampersad Ramsawak and Ralph R.Umraw.

Social Studies Essentials.

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