Juvenile Delinquency

Corbin Hare

Developmental Psychology

Dr. Paul Scott

October 29, 2014

Juvenile Delinquency and Poverty

Juvenile delinquency is very high in families who live areas that are in poverty. There are many factors that contribute to poverty increasing chances for children to be involved in crime.

* Lack of quality education

* Lack of role models

* Stereotyping of children in poor communities

* Predispositions of court system

In most cases with families that live in poverty are not in very good neighborhoods which leads to poor education systems. When a young teen starts to make poor decisions it then effects his education (Birckhead). These decisions also increase the likelihood of continuing these decisions and staying in the court system.

* Low income neighborhood leads to poor education system

* Poor education leads to bad influences and bad decisions

* Bad decisions lead to more bad decisions

Juvenile delinquency can be linked with the lack of access to role models. Children that live in a higher crime neighborhood might not have access to individuals that are a good influence on them. A study through Moving to Opportunity (MTO) states that escaping gangs and drugs was the primary or secondary reason for enrolling in MTO, “which is not surprising given that around half of all families reported that someone in the household had been the victim of a crime during the previous six months” (Ludwig 13). In addition to these children being surrounded by violence and drugs in poor communities, they also lack a parental role model in single family homes. In addition, single-mothers and mothers on welfare, “fail to provide her children with adequate supervision, proper socialization, good role models, work ethics, and value systems” (Gabbidon 133).

* Single parent homes are frequently single mothers

* Limited income due to only one wage earner

* Women typically earn less than men

* Single mothers are faced with needing...