Abuse and Juvenile Delinquency

Abuse and Juvenile Delinquency

Saura Jenson

Kaplan College

Abstract

Identifying the links between abuse and juvenile delinquency may be easy. These links may be family oriented, school, or even social. Some juveniles do not show any physical abuse, but it is rather emotional or psychological abuse that they suffer. The key is that not all abuse is physical, but may be emotional or mental. This paper will be reviewing the links between abuse and juvenile delinquency, as well as the many way’s that we could try to resolve these issues and, helping today’s youth.

Abuse and Juvenile Delinquency

In today's society, we are seeing more and more juvenile delinquents. Many people think that these juveniles are being delinquent because they want to or because there is just something wrong with them, but the real facts are that many of these juveniles are suffering from abuse. We have determined that there is a link between juvenile delinquents and abuse, the hard part now is finding solutions for many of these troubled juveniles. Many juveniles’ delinquents have problems that are family oriented, school, or even socially oriented.

“According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, youths (age 12 to 17) who have been in foster care report higher rates of illicit drug use (33.6% vs. 21.7%) and a higher demand for substance abuse treatment (17.4% vs. 8.8%) than youths who have never been in foster care (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [Samosa, 2005).”(Kim, H. K., 2011)

Do forms of abuse and neglect within the family bring about delinquency among the youth? Many say, yes, maltreatment does have an impact upon delinquent behaviors. "Maltreatments referred to as the parental behaviors that can be considered acts intended to inflict physical or psychological harm, and that reflect a lack of concern for the adolescents well-being, sense of self, and social competence." (Brezina, 1998). Depending on the severity and length of time...