A CRITICAL STUDY ON THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CHENNAI BY - GOVARDHAN S, MRS.SORNALAKSHMI R R, MERLIN DELIGHT JASPER & H. UMMA HABEEBA
A CRITICAL STUDY ON THE FACTORS
THAT AFFECT JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CHENNAI
ABSTRACT
Crime has been a major hindrance in
society for a very long time. It began with stealing, then murdering and many
people got involved in being part of a crime as an hostile entity or victim or
were either succumbed to the life of Crime due to many societal and financial
factors. The research method followed is empirical research. The data is
collected through a questionnaire and the sample size is 200. Convienient
sampling method is adopted in the study to collect the data. The samples were
collected from the general public through mailing of questionnaires and
forwarding through social media apps like Instagram and Whatsapp. The variables
of the study are gender, age, and education qualification, Occupation and
Income of respondents, To find out if respondents feel that Juvenile
Delinquency has an effect on the future of the nation. To analyze on a scale of
1 - 5, how much would respondents rate the level of increase of offenses done
by youngsters in this pandemic? To analyze the most influential factor
affecting youngsters to commit crimes.. To find out what would help youth from
committing crimes. It has been found that Juvenile Delinquency has an effect on
the future of the nation. Respondents would rate the level of increase of
offenses done by youngsters that occurred in this pandemic as “5” being the
highest level of agreeability. Bullying and the Carelessness of Parents are the
most influential factor affecting youngsters to commit a crime. It is expected
by 2025 that juvenile delinquency would deteriorate. Counseling and Volunteer
Work would help youth from committing crimes.
Keywords: Youth,
Crime, Education, Money, Guidance, Counselling
INTRODUCTION
Crime has been a major hindrance in
society for a very long time. It began with stealing, then murdering and many
people got involved in being part of a crime as a hostile entity or victim or
either succumbed to the life of Crime. Crimes were committed by a certain group
of people who were categorized as such due to their caste, family lineage,
societal status, or even their financial background. Nowadays we notice how
crimes are committed by a larger group of people who are educated and sometimes
form large crime groups to do crimes on a larger scale in an organized and
elaborate manner. The crimes can range from stealing to murder, rape, and
large-scale crimes like drug trafficking, sex trafficking, money laundering,
smuggling weapons, and even organ trafficking. Juvenile Delinquency according
to the Merriam-Webster dictionary is “conduct by a juvenile characterized by
antisocial behavior that is beyond parental control and therefore subject to
legal action”. Youngsters are easily roped into crimes due to their
vulnerability or also sometimes their need for quick bucks and we notice in
recent times how committing crimes is also celebrated as an act of honor or
bravery and wit. They sometimes initiate crimes themselves or are part of
larger gangs and are used to carry out the crimes as instruments. Their need
for independence and the constant lack of jobs force these youngsters to do
anything for money and are sometimes even forced to do this due to past trauma
and other negligence in their developing years. Another factor such as a lack
of proper education and means of discipline also plays a large part in these
numbers. Although, The Government of many countries has begun new schools that
are affordable and sometimes free for children who come from a poor background
and are taught how to live a wonderful and comfortable life without committing
any crime most kids do not get proper access to it. The Indian government has
taken measures against this by trying to reduce the percentile of youth who get
involved in crime by introducing Juvenile Homes for Children who have succumbed
to the life of crime and have helped them change their way of thinking and
helped them to grow into good citizens of the country. In this paper, we are
going to analyze the number of people who agree that young people are
responsible for most, or all the disturbances and crimes committed in society, On
a scale of 1 - 10, what do they think are the major reasons that cause youth to
commit crimes and what method would be most effective that would help youth
from committing crimes.
OBJECTIVES
- To find out if respondents feel
that Juvenile Delinquency has an effect on the future of the nation.
- To analyze on a scale of 1 - 5,
how much would respondents rate the level of increase of offenses done by
youngsters in this pandemic?
- To analyze the most influential
factor affecting youngsters to commit crimes.
- If respondents expect by 2025,
juvenile delinquency would deteriorate.
- To find out what would help
youth from committing crimes.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
M. D. Smith and S. M. Feiler (1995): Analysis of arrest rates for homicide (an indicator
of involvement in crime) among 15- to 19-year-olds using Uniform Crime Reports
and U.S. Census Bureau data from 1958 to 1993 - Historical data suggests that
the level of involvement of 15- to 19-year-olds in helping a once publicly
important group of youth was significantly higher than that of their baby
boomer peers.
Wierson, M., Forehand, R. (1995): Evaluated 75 male juveniles in a Georgia juvenile detention
center. Younger age at first arrest and higher number of offenses make a
difference between recidivism and non-recidivism. Presence of drug addiction
seems to be a good predictor.
Webb, C., Burleson, J., Ungemack, J. (2002): A sample of 600 adolescents in a
youth marijuana treatment program. Youth who reported prior delinquency were
more likely to have substance abuse problems and were at greater risk for
psychological and environmental harm. Youth who exhibited criminal behavior
showed a decrease in recidivism during treatment.
Teplin, K. Abram (2002): The increasing impact of juvenile incarceration on their
mental health is becoming increasingly important. A sample of 1,829 African
American, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic youths ages 10–18 were included in
the study. Of these youth, 1,172 were male and 657 were female. Two-thirds of
the males and three-quarters of the females met diagnostic criteria for one or
more mental disorders.
Lisa M. Broidy, E. Cauffman (2003): This analysis examines the relationship between
empathy and crime using a sample of 425 youth in Philadelphia and 232 youth
incarcerated in the CYA. Results of the study indicated that conformity was
protective for women and men, but there were some differences between women and
men in the relationship between emotions and violence.
J. Kim-Cohen, A. Caspi (2003): Most adults with mental illness have a history of mental
illness in their youth. We used a birth cohort of 1037. 76.5% were diagnosed
before age 18, and 57.5% before age 15.
R. Najem, S. Aslam (2004): Data from New Jersey death certificate files, 1989-1997.
Murder rate among African Americans 10 times higher than for whites and
juveniles and 4 times higher than for young adults. Murder ratio for adolescent
males and young adult females is 6:4.
A. Rasmussen, Mark S. Aber, and A. Bhana (2004): A study of 140 African American and
Latino youths in a Chicago neighborhood responding to low-, moderate-, and
violent-crime-endemic neighborhoods. At both low and moderate levels of crime,
counterterrorism strategies were associated with more crime, and neither
strategy was associated with feelings of safety. Only in high-crime communities
were protective strategies associated with perceived safety, but had no effect
on crime.
D. Roe-Sepowitz (2009): A sample of 136 male and female juveniles charged with
attempted murder or manslaughter. Males use drugs more than females, but
females have more addiction problems. Females are most likely to kill people
they know, while male killers are most likely to kill people they do not know.
Fougere, S. Potter, J. Bouutilier (2009): The aim was to compare the severity
of offending and psychological distress in young men who engaged in sexually
aggressive behavior. Offending behavior became more severe over time, but no
association was found between Psychopathy Checklist Youth Version (YV) scores
and offense type or severity.
W. Mason, Julia E Hitch (2010): Data were collected from a sample of 808 youth aged 10 to
24. Child abuse also reflects the relationship between early sexualization and
criminal behavior.
Donna M. Vandiver (2010): This analysis was based on a sample of 177 boys and 177
underage girls arrested for sexual offenses. The results of the study revealed
differences between boys and girls. Younger girls were more likely to be white,
less likely to integrate into society, less likely to be violent, and less
likely to obey the law.
N. Vieira (2013): A sample of 261 prisoners was divided into two groups, male (217) and
female (44), and significant differences were found. The study found that young
women had fewer negative thoughts, more symptoms of depression and negative
behavior, and were less likely to self-harm and engage in violence and Serious
crime
J. P. Ryan, A. Williams (2013): Children are at increased risk of involvement in juvenile
justice and adult correctional services due to childhood abuse and neglect. The
sample was 24% female, 13% African American, 8% Hispanic, and 5% Native
American. Research suggests that persistent addiction problems play a
significant role in explaining outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice
system
D. Kirk, R. J.Sampson (2013): Examined the impact of criminal records on education; for
example, poor self-control, lack of parental supervision, bad behavior of
peers, and bad neighborhoods. and thus undermines education.
Monica Gammelgård, A. Koivisto (2015): SAVRY assessment of 200 adolescents from psychiatric,
forensic, and rehabilitation hospitals. Recidivism data were collected from the
Finnish National Crime Registry and the recipient employment curve was used.
Youth at risk, with a protective lifestyle, lack of social support, and poor
social participation are at risk of delinquency even if they engage in bad
behavior.
Methods and Materials:
The research method followed is
empirical research.. The data is collected through a questionnaire and the
sample size is 200. Convenient sampling method is adopted in the study to
collect the data.. The independent variables are gender, age, and education
qualification, Occupation and Income of respondents. The dependent variables To
find out if respondents feel that Juvenile Delinquency has an effect on the
future of the nation. To analyze on a scale of 1 - 5, how much would
respondents rate the level of increase of offenses done by youngsters in this
pandemic? To analyze the most influential factor affecting youngsters to commit
crimes. If respondents expect by 2025, juvenile delinquency would deteriorate.
To find out what would help youth from committing crimes.
ANALYSIS
INDEPENDENT VARIABLES
CHART 1
LEGEND
Gender: Male:
70%,
Female: 30%
CHART 2
LEGEND
Age: Below 20
years: 80%,
21- 40 years: 10%,
41 - 60 years: 10%
CHART 3
LEGEND
Educational Qualification: UG: 80%
PG: 20%
CHART 4
LEGEND
Occupation:
Public Sector: 10%,
Private Sector: 50%,
Not Employed: 40%
CHART 5
LEGEND
Marital Status:
Married: 37.25%
Unmarried: 61.75%
FIGURE 1
LEGEND
Figure 1 shows if Juvenile
Delinquency has an effect on the future of the nation according to the Gender
of the Respondents.
FIGURE 2
LEGEND
Figure 2 shows On a scale of 1 to 5,
how much respondents would rate the level of increase of offenses done by
youngsters that occurred in this pandemic according to Age of the Respondents
FIGURE 3
LEGEND
Figure 3 shows the most influential
factor affecting youngsters to commit a crime according to the Educational
Qualification of the Respondents.
FIGURE 4
LEGEND
Figure 4 shows whether respondents
expect by 2025, that juvenile delinquency would deteriorate according to the
Occupation of the respondents
FIGURE 5
LEGEND
Figure 5 shows which of the following
would help youth from committing crimes according to the Marital Status of the
Respondents.
FIGURE 6
LEGEND
Figure 6 shows which of the following
would help youth from committing crimes according to the Gender of the
Respondents.
FIGURE 7
LEGEND
Figure 7 shows whether respondents
expect by 2025, that juvenile delinquency would deteriorate according to the
Age of the respondents.
FIGURE 8
LEGEND
Figure 8 shows the most influential
factor affecting youngsters to commit a crime according to the Gender of the
Respondents.
FIGURE 9
LEGEND
Figure 9 shows On a scale of 1 to 5,
how much respondents would rate the level of increase of offenses done by
youngsters that occurred in this pandemic according to Occupation of the
Respondents
CHI SQUARE ANALYSIS
LEGEND
Chi-Square shows that p < 0.05,
Null Hypothesis not accepted, thus proving that Gender does have an influence
on whether Juvenile Delinquency has an effect on the future of the nation.
RESULTS
Figure 1 shows if Juvenile
Delinquency affects the future of the nation according to the Gender of the
Respondents and all respondents irrespective of their Gender agree to it. Figure 2 shows On a scale of 1 to 5, how much
respondents would rate the level of increase of offenses done by youngsters
that occurred in this pandemic according to Age of the Respondents, and almost
everyone rates “4” or “5” Figure 3 shows the most influential factor affecting
youngsters to commit a crime according to the Educational Qualification of the
Respondents and most respondents vote that Bullying and Carelessness of Parents
are the most influential factors. Figure 4 shows whether respondents expect by
2025, that juvenile delinquency would deteriorate according to the Occupation
of the respondents, and almost everyone voted “Yes” Figure 5 shows which of the
following would help youth from committing crimes according to the Marital
Status of the Respondents and most vote for Counselling and Volunteer Work.
Figure 6 shows which of the following would help youth from committing crimes
according to the Gender of the Respondents and most vote for Counselling and
Volunteer Work. Figure 7 shows whether respondents expect by 2025, that
juvenile delinquency would deteriorate according to the Age of the
respondents and almost everyone voted
“Yes” Figure 8 shows the most influential factor affecting youngsters to commit
a crime according to the Gender of the Respondents and most vote Bullying and Carelessness
of Parents are the most influential factors. Figure 9 shows On a scale of 1 to
5, how much respondents would rate the level of increase of offenses done by
youngsters that occurred in this pandemic according to Occupation of the
Respondents and almost everyone rates “4” or “5”. Chi-Square shows that p <
0.05, Null Hypothesis not accepted, thus proving that Gender does have an
influence on whether Juvenile Delinquency has an effect on the future of the
nation.
DISCUSSION
Figure 1 shows if Juvenile
Delinquency affects the future of the nation according to the Gender of the
Respondents and all respondents irrespective of their Gender agree to it as the
development of youth also would bring out the development of the society and
the nation as a whole. Figure 2 shows On a scale of 1 to 5, how much
respondents would rate the level of increase of offenses done by youngsters
that occurred in this pandemic according to Age of the Respondents, and almost
everyone rates “4” or “5” as many low-income families financial crises in and
they had to resort to such offenses for an earning. Figure 3 shows the most
influential factor affecting youngsters to commit a crime according to the
Educational Qualification of the Respondents and most respondents vote that
Bullying and Carelessness of Parents are the most influential factor as it is
the responsibility of the parents and teachers to guide the students in the
right path. Figure 4 shows whether respondents expect by 2025, that juvenile
delinquency would deteriorate according to the Occupation of the respondents,
and almost everyone voted “Yes” as the government provides free and good
education to youngsters and many reformative and rehabilitative methods are
initiated. Figure 5 shows which of the following would help youth from
committing crimes according to the Marital Status of the Respondents and most
votes for Counseling and Volunteer Work as youngsters are good listeners and
they respect their elders and instead of punishing them harshly, if we try
talking to them or helping them understand that doing good feels good, there is
a good chance that they will reform and live a better life. Figure 6 shows
which of the following would help youth from committing crimes according to the
Gender of the Respondents and most votes for Counselling and Volunteer Work as
youngsters are good listeners and they respect their elders and instead of
punishing them harshly, if we try talking to them or helping them understand
that doing good feels good, there is a good chance that they will reform and
live a better life. Figure 7 shows whether respondents expect by 2025, that
juvenile delinquency would deteriorate according to the Age of the respondents
and almost everyone voted “Yes” as the government provides free and good
education to youngsters and many reformative and rehabilitative methods are
initiated. Figure 8 shows the most influential factor affecting youngsters to
commit a crime according to the Gender of the Respondents and most vote
Bullying and Carelessness of Parents are the most influential factors as it is
the responsibility of the parents and teachers to guide the students in the
right path. Figure 9 shows On a scale of 1 to 5, how much respondents would
rate the level of increase of offenses done by youngsters that occurred in this
pandemic according to Occupation of the Respondents and almost everyone rates
“4” or “5” as many low-income families financial crises in and they had to
resort to such offenses for an earning. Chi-Square shows that p < 0.05, Null
Hypothesis not accepted, thus proving that Gender does have an influence on
whether Juvenile Delinquency has an effect on the future of the nation.
LIMITATIONS:
The survey has been limited to
Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The number of surveys has been limited to 200. Literature
Review has a limited scope focusing on Juvenile Delinquency, its causes and its
prevention and control
SUGGESTIONS
Juvenile Delinquency according to the
Merriam-Webster dictionary is “ conduct by a juvenile characterized by
antisocial behavior that is beyond parental control and therefore subject to
legal action”. It has been suggested that Counselling and Volunteer Work would
help as youngsters are good listeners and they respect their elders instead of
punishing them harshly, if we try talking to them or helping them understand
that doing good feels good, there is a good chance that they will reform and
live a better life.
CONCLUSION:
It has been found that Juvenile
Delinquency has an effect on the future of the nation. Respondents would rate
the level of increase of offenses done by youngsters that occurred in this
pandemic as “5” being the highest level of agreeability. Bullying and the
Carelessness of Parents are the most influential factor affecting youngsters to
commit a crime. It is expected by 2025 that juvenile delinquency would
deteriorate. Counseling and Volunteer Work would help youth from committing
crimes.
REFERENCES
- M. D. Smith, S. M. Feiler(1995)
Absolute and Relative Involvement in Homicide Offending: Contemporary
Youth and the Baby Boom Cohorts(Smith and Feiler 1995)
- M. Wierson, R. Forehand(1995):
Predicting recidivism in juvenile delinquents: the role of mental health
diagnoses and the qualification of conclusions by race. (Wierson and Forehand 1995)
- C. Webb, J. Burleson, J.
Ungemack(2002):Treating juvenile offenders for marijuana problems.(Webb et al. 2002)
- L. Teplin, K. Abram(2002)
Psychiatric disorders in youth in juvenile detention.
DOI:10.1001/ARCHPSYC.59.12.1133 Corpus ID: 5893655 (Teplin et al. 2002)
- Lisa M. Broidy, E.
Cauffman(2003): Sex Differences in Empathy and Its Relation to Juvenile
Offending(Broidy et al.
2003)
- J. Kim-Cohen, A. Caspi(2003):
Prior juvenile diagnoses in adults with mental disorder: developmental
follow-back of a prospective-longitudinal cohort. DOI:10.1001/ARCHPSYC.60.7.709 Corpus ID: 40729255 (Kim-Cohen et al. 2003)
- G. R. Najem, S.
Aslam(2004):Youth homicide racial disparities: gender, years, and cause.(Najem et al. 2004)
- A. Rasmussen, Mark S. Aber, A.
Bhana(2004), Adolescent Coping and Neighborhood Violence: Perceptions,
Exposure, and Urban Youths' Efforts to Deal with Danger(Rasmussen et al. 2004)
- D. Roe-Sepowitz(2009): Comparing
Male and Female Juveniles Charged With Homicide(Roe-Sepowitz 2009)
- A. Fougere, S. Potter, J.
Boutilier(2009), Psychopathy and offence severity in sexually aggressive
and violent youth. (Fougere et al.
2009)
- W. Mason, Julia E Hitch(2010),
Growth in adolescent delinquency and alcohol use in relation to young
adult crime, alcohol use disorders, and risky sex: a comparison of youth
from low- versus middle-income backgrounds. (Mason et al. 2010)
- Donna M. Vandiver(2010):
Assessing Gender Differences and Co-Offending Patterns of a Predominantly
“Male-Oriented” Crime: A Comparison of a Cross-National Sample of Juvenile
Boys and Girls Arrested for a Sexual Offense (Vandiver 2010)
- Pedro Pechorro, D. N.
Vieira(2013): Psychopathy and behavior problems: a comparison of
incarcerated male and female juvenile delinquents(Pechorro et al. 2013)
- J. P. Ryan, A. Williams(2013):
Adolescent Neglect, Juvenile Delinquency and the Risk of Recidivism DOI:10.1007/s10964-013-9906-8
Corpus ID: 27773518 (Ryan et al. 2013)
- Monica Gammelgård, A.
Koivisto(2015), Predictive validity of the structured assessment of
violence risk in youth: A 4-year follow-up.(Gammelgård et al. 2015)
[1] B.A.,LL.B (Hons) Saveetha School of Law, Saveetha
Institute of medical and technical sciences SIMATS, Chennai-77, senthilgovardhan@gmail.com
[2] Assistant Professor, Saveetha School of Law, Saveetha
Institute of medical and technical sciences SIMATS, Saveetha University,
Chennai-77,sornalakshmirr.ssl@saveetha.com
[3] B.BA.,LL.B (Hons) Saveetha School of Law, Saveetha
Institute of medical and technical sciences SIMATS, Chennai-77, merlindelight03@gmail.com
[4] B.BA. ETHIRAJ COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, habeeayman599@gmail.com