Juvenile Delinquency as a Behavioural Problem

Juvenile can be defined as a child who has not attained a certain age at which he, like an adult person under the law of the land, can be held liable for his criminal acts. The juvenile is a child who is alleged to have committed /violated some law which declares the act or omission on the part of the child as an offence. The causes of juvenile delinquency are varied. The concept of delinquency also varies with the point of view of the people who feel challenged by it. Ferdinand presented two categories of juvenile offenders: Neurotic Offender and Character disorder offenders. Various theories behind delinquency like Psychogenic theory, Motivational theory, Psychoanalytical, Psychiatric theory and Medico-Biological theory are explained. Causes behind delinquency are explained in terms of biological, socio-environmental, psychological, physiological and personal causes. Behavioural characteristics in which delinquents have been found to cluster into behavior dimension sub-groups. In a series of multivariate research projects Quay (1987) has shown that there is a similarity to these dimensions of behaviour in juveniles to categories defined by researchers of child psychopathology. Prevention is necessary for such children. First of all, we should identify such juveniles and thereafter give him treatment. They will become habitual offender if they are nottimely prevented from committing the offence. The most effective way to prevent juvenile delinquency has indisputably been to assist children and their families early on. For late blooming delinquency, broad-based programmes may be needed that address the individual, peer group, family and community. Parents are also counseled to learn the importance of monitoring their children more closely. Numerous state programs attempt early intervention, and federal funding for community initiatives has allowed independent groups to tackle the problem in new ways. Preventive programmes of delinquents including individual and environmental programmes have been suggested. Role of police, enforcement of law, aftercare and rehabilitation programmes along with the role of counselin in delinquents have been stressed upon.