Juvenile Delinquency

Question

One of the increasing problems faced by the Malaysian society is juvenile delinquency.

Examine what measures can be taken by the GOVERNMENT, SOCIETY, and the INDIVIDUALS themselves to help curb this rapidly rising problem?

1.0 - Introduction

The purpose of this report is to provide information on juvenile delinquency; the types and causes; not forgetting the measures taken to reduce it. Juvenile delinquency is also known as an offence committed by a minor or youth. A juvenile is a person who is under the statutory age of majority, which in Malaysia are those under the age of 18 years. The delinquent act of a juvenile may be divided into two categories.

2.0 - Types of Juvenile Delinquency

The first category are acts which are prohibited and punishable by law under the respective legal systems. Examples of prohibited acts would be those related to property such as vandalism being the most common, burglary, theft and arson; and those related with violence such as use of criminal force or assault, robbery and rape; and lastly those related with drugs such as trafficking, possession and substance abuse.

The second category are acts which are known as “status offences”. The more common forms of status offences are going beyond the control of parents such as running away from home and being habitually and incorrigible while the other is being exposed to moral dangers such as getting involved in prostitution or having pornographic material. Although, the more prevalent social ills that we see, hear and read about are drug abuse, truancy, bullying, gangsterism, underage smoking and vandalism.

3.0 - Causes of Juvenile Delinquency

There are many causes of juvenile delinquency. Primary factors are family background, socioeconomic class and educational experiences. Family background has one of the most potent influences on a juveniles development. Norms, values and models of behaviour originate or emanate from the family unit, and these are the...