SOCIAL WORK AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

Social Work and Juvenile Delinquency

 

Table of Contents

Summary3

Introduction3

Juvenile Delinquency3

Findings3

Cause of Juvenile Delinquency3

Social Work and Juvenile Delinquency3

Typical Social Work Functions and Juvenile Court3

Role of Social Work in Juvenile Court3

Appropriate training:3

Better networking3

Community analysis3

Recommendations3

Tailoring services to one-by-one desires3

Empowerment and Independency3

Conclusion3

Summary

The social work profession addresses a variety of issues from child abuse, homelessness, teenage pregnancy, poverty, the elderly, as well as the mental and physically challenged. Delinque nt and criminal be haviour among young people , as they negotiate  the  transition from childhood to adulthood in an increasingly complex and confusing world, is the  issue  that this chapter first examines. Some  basic assumptions relating to delinquent behaviour are  presented, followed by a description of the  various factors underlying or contributing to this phenome non. Some  regional variations are  highlighted. Effective  approaches and measures for preventing juvenile  delinquency are  detailed, with particular attention given to the  development of educational, professional development and community programmes, improvements in family relations and parenting skills, and the  value  of re storative  justice  for both perpetrators and victims. The  chapter concludes with a summary and recommendations for future  action. 

Social Work and Juvenile Delinquency

Introduction

This report focuses on the effect of social work on Juvenile delinquency. Social work can cover a variety of issues from the homeless, pregnant teenagers, the elderly, as well as the mental and physically challenged. The purpose of this paper is to address and understand the chief function of the field of social work. The chief purpose of the field of social work is to (Fox 1983 pp. ix-xv) (1) help develop new resource systems to meet the needs of the people; (2) establish initial linkages between people and resource systems themselves to make them accessible to each other; (3) facilitate and improve interaction between people within resources systems to promote the effective and humane operation of these systems and to make them responsive to people's needs; (4) facilitate ongoing interactions between resources systems to enable them to work together effectively and; (5) help people develop and effectively utilize their own internal problem solving and coping resource.

Juvenile Delinquency

For many young people today, traditional patterns guiding the relationships and transitions between family, school and work are being challenged. Social relations that ensure a smooth process of socialization are collapsing; lifestyle trajectories are becoming more varied and less predictable. The restructuring of the labour market(Travisono 1996 pp.16), the extension of the maturity gap (the period of dependence of young adults on the family) and, arguably, the more limited opportunities to become an independent adult are all changes influencing relationships with family and friends, educational opportunities and choices, labour market participation, leisure activities and lifestyles. It is not only developed countries that are facing this situation; in developing countries as well there are new pressures on young people undergoing the transition from childhood to independence. Rapid population growth, the unavailability of housing and support services, poverty, unemployment and underemployment among youth, the decline in the authority of local communities, overcrowding in poor urban areas, the disintegration of the family, and ineffective educational systems are some of the pressures young people must deal with(Miller 1995 ...