Youth Violence

Abstract

This paper discusses the common problem of youth violence. In recent years there has been increase in cases of youth violence. The average age of youngsters committing a crime has gone down. Many theories address this important issue of youngsters. Social structures need to be improved to better this situation.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

Discussion5

Factors of Youth Violence5

Family Conditions5

Neglectful Parenting6

Indulgent Parenting6

Authoritarian Parenting6

Peer Factor7

Individual Factors7

Prevention of Violent Behavior8

Explaining Youth Violence8

Rational choice9

Social Ineffectiveness9

Strain Theory9

Differential Association9

Conclusion10

References11

Youth Violence

Introduction

Youth violence of criminal nature is termed as juvenile delinquency. It is also known as youth crime. It refers to the participation of young people in illegal activities. In most legal systems, there are provisions for the crimes committed by minors or underage people. There are special courts for young criminals. A juvenile delinquent is one who is under 18 years old and indulges in an activity that is considered a legal crime by the law if committed by an adult. Sometimes, juveniles can also be tried in courts. The average age for arrests has been dropping in recent times. Around two thirds of the youth engage in some kind of criminal activity. This teenage offending can be understood as normal behavior in the growing age. Usually teens get involved in non violent crimes. It also only occurs very rarely. The only problem occurs when adolescents repeat their crimes or continue violent behavior even after adolescence. It also happens that some teenagers develop antisocial behavior even before reaching adolescence (CDC 2009).

All cultures possess transitional period from childhood to adulthood. In the modern world, this transition has changed remarkably. This period of life has become very important these days. The term “teenagers” has been adapted in the 50s. In the developed western world, the adolescent people are finding the urge to identify themselves as individuals. The use of violence certainly provides a way to show an individual identity and character. These intense behaviors are a part of growing group. It must be understood that adolescence itself does not cause aggressive behavior. There are many reasons for violent conduct of young people.

Discussion

Factors of Youth Violence

There are many factors involved in the onset of violent behavior of young people. The social and economic conditions of the family are very important for the onset criminal tendencies in a youngster. The set of these factors can be broken down into three main subsets. These subsets also coincide with each other. The resulting condition from the effects of these important qualities gives the idea of criminal nature found in a youth.

Family Conditions

Family influences youngsters in a strong way. A problem in family structure causes a trend towards violent behaviors. Parental guidance affects child behavior very influentially. Harsh punishments and conflicts between family members raise violent feelings in youngsters. The separation of parents also affects children negatively. The quality of relationship between parents and their children is a strong indicator of behaviors shown by the young people. Single parent children are more likely to be offensive than those living with both parents ...