YOUTH DELINQUENCY

MS.RAQUEL E.NUEZ Head-CBSU DSWD-F.O.XI, Davao City

YOUTH DELINQUENCY
Delinquent behavior appears to be on the rise. Newspapers carry stories of crimes involving young people. Holdups,extortions,car napping,smuggling,violence,rape and murder have been committed by teen-agers. The consensus is that the offense cannot be attributed to one single cause or factor. But the problem is becoming more serious everyday.

Juvenile delinquency , or youthful delinquent behavior, is significant especially in a democracy, where everyone is given equal opportunities. Lately,however, the anti-social behavior of the young has posed a threat to democracy. As on adage says, a chain is as strong as its weakest link The whole system is weak because of juvenile delinquents. How can young men and women become fit for the responsibilities of a free democratic society.

Definition: The term Juvenile Delinquency does not have a constant or definite meaning. It is complex term. In general, it refers to any violation of the law committed by a juvenile offender. According to Hurlock, any individual whose pattern of adjustment is contrary to the accepted code or rules of conduct by society is a delinquent. A delinquent. A delinquent is defined as one who violates a law, is wayward, is habitually disobedient or truant, or who behaves in a manner that endangers the health and morals, not only of himself,but those of others.

Cont. In legal parlance, a delinquent is a teen-ager who has been brought to court,not as a criminal who should know the seriousness of his offense, but as a maturing person who needs both teaching and training in the responsibilities that go with citizenship. There are adolescents who commit delinquent acts but are not discovered, or who are protected by parents or politicians from being brought to court, and who should also be classified as juvenile delinquents.

Child at Risk refers to a child who is vulnerable to and at the risk of committing criminal offenses because of personal ,family and social circumstances, such as, but not limited to, the following: 1. Being abused by any person through sexual, physical, psychological, mental economic or any other means and the parents or guardian refuse, are unwilling, or unable to provide protection for the child. 2. Being exploited including sexually or economically;

3. Being abandoned or neglected, and after diligent search and inquiry, the parent or guardian cannot be found; 4. Coming from a dysfunctional or broken family or without a parent or guardian; 5. Being out of school; 6. Being a street child; 7. Being a member of a gang; 8. Living in a community with a high level of criminality or drug abuse; and 9. Living in situations of armed conflict

 Best Interest of the Child refers to the totality of circumstances and conditions which are most congenial to the survival, protection and feelings of security of the child and most encouraging to the childs physical, psychological and emotional development. It also means the least detrimental available alternative for safeguarding the growth and development of the child. Child refers to a person under the age of eighteen (18) years.

 Community-based Programs refers to the programs provided in a community setting developed for purpose of intervention and diversion, as well as rehabilitation of the child in conflict with the law, for reintegration into his/her family and/or community. Diversion refers to an alternative, childappropriate process of determining the responsibility and treatment of a child in conflict with the law on the basis of his/her social, cultural, economic, psychological or educational background without resorting to formal court proceedings.

 Diversion Program refers to the program that the child in conflict with the law is required to undergo after he/she is found responsible for an offense without resorting to formal court proceedings.
Intervention refers to a series of activities which are designed to address issues that caused the child to commit an offense. It may take the form of an individualized treatment program which may include counseling, skills training, education, and other activities that will enhance his/her psychological, emotional and psychosocial well-being

 Juvenile Justice and Welfare System refers to a system dealing with children at risk and children in conflict with the law, which provides childappropriate proceedings, including programs and services for prevention, diversion, rehabilitation, re-integration and aftercare to ensure their normal growth and development. Recognizance refers to an undertaking in lieu of bond assumed by a parent or custodian who shall be responsible for the appearance in court of the child in conflict with the law, when required.

Restorative Justice refers to a principle which requires a process of resolving conflicts with the maximum involvement of the victim, the offender and the community. It seeks to obtain reparation for the victim; reconciliation of the offender, the offended and the community; and reassurance to the offender that he/she can be reintegrated into society. It also enhances public safety by activating the offender, the victim and the community in prevention strategies.

Youth Detention Home refers to a 24-hour child caring institution managed by accredited local government units (LGUs) and licensed and /or accredited non-government organizations (NGOs) providing short-term residential care for children in conflict with the law who are awaiting court disposition of their cases or transfer to other agencies or jurisdiction.

Youth Rehabilitation Center refers to a 24-hour residential care facility managed by DSWD, LGUs, licensed and/or accredited NGOs monitored by the DSWD, which provides care, treatment and rehabilitation services for children in conflict with the law. Rehabilitation services are provided under the guidance of trained staff

Cont. where residents are cared for under a structured therapeutic environment with the end view of reintegrating them into their families and communities as socially functioning individuals. Physical mobility of residents of said centers may be restricted pending court disposition of the charges against them. Victimless Crimes refers to offenses where there is no private offended party. Example of these are vagrancy, mendicancy, children caught in curfew, sniffing of rugby (PD 1619) truancy, parental disobedience (RA 9344) not punishable by law.

Types of Juvenile Delinquency

Type 1- the organism's defense against something that was done to it. If an adolescent is humiliated in public or in the presence of others, he retaliates. Type 2 - behavior as the result of confusion, the confused type. Type 3 - a result of the impact of excitement and group intoxication, a meeting point which results in a breakdown.

Types of Juvenile Delinquency Type 1 - the organism's defense against something that was done to it. If an adolescent is humiliated in public or in the presence of others, he retaliates. Type 2 - behavior as the result of confusion, the confused type. Type 3 - a result of the impact of excitement and group intoxication, a meeting point which results in a breakdown.

Cont. Type 4 - the neurotic effect- a condition resulting from childhood difficulties,like stealing,swiping articles. Type 5- kind of delinquent behaviour due to severe impulse disturbances. Type 6- disturbance of the ego part and the superego. Type 7- the genuine JDis due to delinquent neighborhood

Characteristics of Juvenile Delinquents

1. Low IQ 2. Emotionally unstable 3. Refuses to submit to discipline and restrictions 4. Egoistic,disobedient,negativistic,immature in reaction to what is right or wrong 5. Cannot easily adapt himself to parents,playmates,teachers,classmates

Causes of Juvenile Delinquency

The list of the following as contributory factors:

1.Relaxation of homes and parental supervision. 2. Migration from rural to urban areas where problems around. 3. Neglect of children due to financial difficulties 4. Feeling of inferiority because of poor health or physical handicaps 5. Inadequate recreational facilities 6. Inadequate recreational facilities 7. Poor teaching 8. Public apathy 9. Unsettled world conditions

According to Hurlock, there are predisposing and mitigating or motivating causes of juvenile delinquency. Predisposing conditions pave the way for juvenile delinquency by establishing undesirable attitudes toward socially accepted rules of conduct. Motivating causes are drives, interest, or tendencies,impulses, within the individual that make him perform delinquent acts.

PREDISPOSING CAUSES 1. Low intelligence 2. Lack of moral knowledge 3. Physical condition 4. Degree of socialization 5. Socio-economic status 6. Poor environment 7. Unfavourable home conditions 8. Size of the family

MOTIVATING CAUSES 1. Dissatisfaction with present conditions because of mass media 2. Boredom from absence of duties to perform and of recreational opportunities 3. Desire for self-gratification 4. Feeling of insecurity because of the lack spending money and lack of lover affection 5. Feeling of thwarting because of unfulfilled desire, maybe because of some obstacle or hindrance.

CRIMES AND THEIR CAUSES COMMITTED BY YOUTHS: 1. Crimes against persons, like murder, homicide, parricide, and infanticide, and serious physical injuries are usually caused by either grudge,hate,feud,passion,revenge or as a result of thrill-killing,gang rivalry. Noticeably in the three above mentioned crimes is their connection with alcohol.

2. Crimes against property,such as robbery,theft,estafa,and falsification are committed mainly for personal gain. These offenses are usually committed by recidivists or persons with previous police records. Malicious mischief and damage to property are the result of hate,grudge,feud, and revenge. 3. While crimes against chastity are usually motivated by personal gain or passion, most of these offenses are also influenced by indulgence in liquor.

Cont. 4. Crimes against morals and other crimes are also caused by either personal,gain or under the influence of liquor .

Suggested solutions are:

1. Strict implementation of PD 603 & RA 7610. 2. Spiritual and emotional guidance through the supervision of local priests,ministers and Social Welfare personnel. 3. Building up new interests and hobbies. 4. Teaching offenders various ways to make a decent living. 5. For recidivists,rehabilitation program and society acceptance.

Dr.Lims findings are as follows:

1. Age 2. Sibling rank 3. Number of siblings 4. Educational Attainment 5. Type of neighborhood 6. Years in residence

Some Other Causes: 1. Homes with absentee parents who work 2. Broken Homes 3. Failure of parents to make the home the center of child's interest away from school 4. Poor housing facilities 5. Lack or absence of wholesome recreation 6. Insufficient medical care 7. Inadequate institutional facilities for reforming Juvenile Delinquency 8. Failure of parents to give religious instructions

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