The Development of Juvenile Delinquency, Essay Example

The author proposes several interesting ideas related to the development of juvenile delinquency. In particular, the declining economy and availability of jobs is cited as connecting reasons. In good economic conditions, many teenagers are able to acquire jobs after school. However, while the author explains that these individuals are more likely to engage in crime due to their increased funds, this activity tends to occupy the time of many young adults and keep them out of trouble. These jobs help them build self-sufficiency on a small level in addition to other skills that help them become more responsible. Therefore, the author does not include a full understanding of this phenomenon in this discussion.

It appears that when the economy is bad, less jobs are available and teenagers are more likely to spend their time keeping themselves busy, either with wholesome entertainment or more negative behaviors. Wholesome entertainment can include spending time inside with their loved ones and negative behaviors can include spending time on the streets. Juveniles that commit crimes are more likely to have time on their hands compared to those that do not become involved with criminal activity. This again contrasts the author’s idea because if juveniles do not have the time or energy to be involved in crime, they will be less likely to be persuaded by the negative behaviors of their peers. The economy contributes to juvenile delinquency not only because teens are unable to get jobs, but because their parents are less likely to be able to supervise them due to working longer hours. It may be beneficial for the government to fund more after-school work programs to ensure that these individuals are supervised and kept out of harm’s way.

A second factor that adds to this effect is the increasing incidence of drug use. In times of economic trouble, it is often challenging for teens that are addicted to drugs to acquire it by reasonable means. I am aware that individuals that live in low-income neighborhoods are more likely to engage in arguments over drugs and participate in gangs. Therefore, many of them turn to crime because they need money or power to acquire drugs to feed their addictions. Gang violence becomes particularly prominent during times of economic trouble. It is easy for individuals to acquire drugs without needing to be worried about money. Downturns economic crashes, the drug problem appears to transcend low income neighborhoods and affect middle class suburban areas more intensely. For example, heroin use has become more common among middle to upper middle class residents. This phenomenon has been reported in a variety of newspapers and television reports. As a consequence, the juvenile delinquency rates increase during this time.