In contemporary society, the increase of juvenile crime rate has become an alarming issue in many parts of the world. The following paper will be looking at the roots of this worrying trend as well proposing some plausible solutions.
The most apparent cause is lack of parental guidance. A clarification is that many children and teenagers residing in families where they usually experience the absence of their parents as well as supervision and guidance due to THEIR hectic work commitments or other reasons. As a result, these offsprings would have to resort to crime as a means of seeking attention or belonging. Further concern will include the influence of peer pressure. This is because adolescents are highly susceptible to peer influence then they often feel pressured to the behaviors of their peers, even if those behaviors involve criminal activities. An outcome of this trend is leading young individuals to make poor choices and engage in unlawful behaviors to fit in or avoid social exclusion.
There are several actions that could be taken to eradicate the abovementioned problems. The first solution would be strengthening family support systems. To exemplify, local authorities should have the responsibility to offer affordable or free parenting classes, counseling services and community programs in localities which can equip parents with the skills and knowledge needed to fulfill their roles as well as effectively communicate with their children and set boundaries. These kinds of activities might create a nurturing environment that promotes positive behaviors and discourages criminal activities among children and teenagers. A second measure would be implementing educational and recreational programs. To be more particular, it is requisite to provide children and teenagers with constructive outlets for their energy and creativity which result in reducing their inclination towards criminal behaviors. As a consequence, by being offered alternative opportunities for personal growth and social interaction, these materials can steer young individuals away from negative influences and towards more positive life choices.
Taking everything into consideration, a lack of parental supervision and influence of peer pressure can make it challenging for some children and teenagers to avoid commiting crime. However, strengthening family support systems and applying educational and recreational programs can help to mitigate this issue.