May 18th 2011 - The increase in juvenile delinquent activity, including murder, robbery, and assaults, is a major issue affecting our Federation. We are all very much aware of the societal consequences that the increase in criminal behaviour can bring. For the purpose of this article, basic definitions, risk factors, protective and preventative measures, as it relates to juvenile delinquency, will be addressed.

According to law, a juvenile is a human being under the age of 18 years of age. Delinquency is defined as failure to do what law or duty requires.  Thus, juvenile delinquency is defined as a human being under the age of 18 failing to do what law or duty requires.

Risk Factors

It is imperative that risk factors are taken into consideration as this may significantly contribute to appropriate protective and treatment factors.

 
So, what exactly is a risk factor? For the purpose of this paper, a risk factor is a characteristic, variable or situation that increases a juvenile’s chances of becoming delinquent.  Below, risk factors will be addressed based on four main categories, namely, individual and diagnostic, familial, school, and community and cultural variables.  The list below is not exhaustive but is a general summary.

Individual and Diagnostic Variables

• IQ (Intelligence Quotient) deficits. The most affected area of intelligence by juvenile delinquents is the verbal intelligence (Teichner, Golden, 2000).

• Being male

   

• Conduct Disorder (CD), Parent-Child Relational Problems, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and

   

• Depressive disorder, are common diagnostic disorders identified in violent children in the juvenile justice system (Kashani, Jones, Bomby, and Thomas, 1999).

   

• Children with CD have deficits in executive functioning (Toupin, Dery, Pauze, Mercier, and Fortin, 2000)
• There have been a number of theories that have explained the relationship between the verbal deficits in juveniles and conduct disorders.
• These disorders have been summarized by Moffit (1993b)(as cited in Vermeiren et al., 2000): Overall, deficits in verbal abilities negatively affect the development of self control strategies, the ability to learn and generalize about acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, and the number of positive interactions with parents, which lead to decreased success at school.
• Deficits in verbal intelligence may limit a child’s range of responses to threatening or ambiguous social situations, making aggressive situations more likely.

Family Variables

• Exposure to violence in the home (spousal abuse and/ child abuse)
•  Family history of violent behaviour
•  Parental attitudes favourable to alcohol and aggressive behaviours
•  Poor disciplinary strategies by parents

School Variables

• Overcrowded schools
•  Hostile teachers
• Poor academic performance is an early risk factor for antisocial behavior (Robinson, Fraser, Roberts, Rivers, Strayer, and Simon, 2007) which is often linked to juvenile delinquency.

Community and cultural variables

• Repeated exposure to violence via media and within the community
• Availability of firearms, drugs and alcohol
• Neighbourhoods characterized by poverty, disorganization, transition, and a low sense of community
• Immigrants with low acculturation capabilities (Titzmann, Raabe, and Silbereisen, 2008)

Having one of the identified risk factors above does not necessarily equate to a child becoming a delinquent. However, the more risk factors evident in a child’s life, the greater the chances of that child becoming a delinquent.

It is also important to consider the developmental maturity of the individual. Some children are exposed to many of these risk factors but never become delinquent based on other protective factors in their lives- protective factors acting as a buffer to prevent delinquent behavior.

 
Preventative Factors

It is in our best interest to become aware of the risk factors that lead to juvenile delinquency so as to identify and prevent ‘at risk youths’ from becoming delinquents. Identifying the risk factors also assists government, practitioners and other private entities to develop more focused preventative initiatives and programs.

Preventative Factors can be considered as therapeutic/social initiatives and programs targeted to reducing delinquent behavior by juveniles.

Tackling delinquency among the youths at a very young age has proven to be one of the most effective preventative strategies to reduce juvenile delinquency.  According to research, addressing risk factors through education, parent training, therapy, recreation, and community involvement can assist with the prevention of juvenile delinquency.

 
Education

• Educating youths about their value and worth (to help them become more conscious of the choices they make).
• Educating parents and the community about risk/protective factors
• Education about the consequences of delinquency 

Parental Training

• Developing Parenting Programs that educate parents on child development and healthy parent/child interaction
• Encouraging parents to request appropriate help when/if needed

Treatment

• Cognitive-behavioral skills training/therapy
• Family therapy frameworks (Functional Family Therapy)
• The research indicates that these previously mentioned treatment modalities are more effective for the younger, nonviolent, or mildly aggressive youths than the older, more violent youths

The most promising form of therapy is Multisystemic Therapy (MST) - “an intensive family-and community-based treatment program that focuses on the entire world of chronic and violent juvenile offenders - their homes and families, schools and teachers, neighborhoods and friends”.

Recreation

Extracurricular activities such as sports, dance, art, drama, or reading, give children a positive outlet for expression, thus reducing the number of hours children have to involve themselves with the wrong peers and activities.

Community Involvement

Involvement in community programs such as Church Groups, Boys’/Girls’ Brigades, Girls’ Guides, Boy Scouts etc., allows youths to interact in a safe environment while developing good morals and relational skills.

I am sure that we all are aware of the harm that crime is bringing to our federation. A general overview of the criminal activity with a focus on risk factors and possible preventative strategies was presented here in an attempt to educate. Let us not expect the government or professionals alone to contribute to the fight against crime and juvenile delinquency.  We too can contribute to curbing criminal activities through creating positive recreational groups, mentoring an ‘at-risk’ youth, or seeking guidance in socializing and shaping our youths into positive and productive leaders of our future St. Kitts and Nevis.

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