Motivational Factors in Juvenile Delinquency

Gomez,1

Motivational Factors on Juvenile Delinquency

An examination on some factors that lead to juvenile delinquency

Menfil Gomez

University of California, Chico

Menfilgomez97@gmail.com

May 5th, 2018

Motivational Factors in Juvenile Delinquency
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Introduction
In order to better understand why juveniles are motivated to commit a crime it is

appropriate to utilize critical theories to understand the reasons in juvenile delinquency. A deeper

investigation on aspects behind the motives that cause juvenile delinquency will give a clear

understanding of why a crime is being committed. This literature review will examine the

research on familial and social environment factors that motivate juvenile delinquency based on

approaches and examinations from reliable resources to better understand the motives behind

juvenile delinquency. For social environment, we can look at peer pressure, racial discrimination,

and edgework. Behind familial environment, we can look at single parent families and

unpleasant living situations. Using an observational and survey method study on students,

juvenile delinquency is most impacted by peer influence and other factors such as broken

families.

Research Question

What are factors that lead to juvenile delinquency?

Theoretical Framework

This research uses Social Process Theory. This theory views criminality as a function of

people's interactions with various organizations, institutions, and processes in society; people in

all walks of life have the potential to become criminals if they maintain destructive social

relationships (Siegel,2000). There are different categories in social process theory, such as

theories that go more in depth on social interactions between individuals and environmental

influences that can lead to delinquent behavior. Differential Association Theory was developed

by Edwin Sutherland, who believed that delinquency is learned behavior as youths interact with

each other (Sutherland & Cressey, 1970, p. 75-77). This theory is used to get better
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understanding on the theories that have been placed in the real world that can help answer the

question on the factors that lead to juvenile delinquency.

Literature Review

Social Environment

Social environment plays a huge role in a juveniles life. Social environment is defined as

an individual who is impacted by the people whom they interact with. In this research social

environment includes friends, gangs, racism and discrimination. Peer pressure is one of the

strongest determinants of juvenile delinquency and particularly substance use (Reed, 1997, p.

143). Peer pressure from friends is easily viewed as a factor that motivates juveniles towards

delinquency as they pressure friends into drugs and alcohol. Reed and Roundtree (1997) use the

Differential Association Theory where they believe that delinquency is learned by the norms,

values, attitudes, rationalizations, motives and drives when having face to face interactions.

Exploring peer pressure the interactions among juveniles can be highly effective on a juvenile

since they tend to have high interactions in school. Since juveniles have high interactions in

school with their peer it makes it easier for them to be targeted and influence.

Another reason there can be juvenile delinquency is because of edgework. Edgework is

defined as voluntary participation in high risk leisure activities or occupations (Anderson, J. &

Linden R., 2014, p. 243). In the same research on auto theft they find that 79% of juveniles are

somewhat involved with gangs (Anderson, J. & Linden, R., 2014, p. 248). This means having

peer pressure from gang members can lead to high risk activities where juveniles can commit

delinquent acts in order to escape boredom. Auto theft is a crime and the adrenaline that kicks in

when youth steal a car can cause them to later commit the same act. Combining peer pressure

and edgework leads to juveniles using substances such as drug and alcohol. The social
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environment on youth can have a huge impact when having face to face interactions with other

youth who are a bad influence on others.. Adolescents use alcohol and drugs simply because

their friends do (Reed, M. D. & Rountree, P.W., 1997, p 146.) In other situations it is not just

peer pressure that causes juveniles to commit delinquent acts but it can also be familial

environment factors.

Racial discrimination is another factor towards juvenile delinquency. In research where

they studied the correlation between racial discrimination and trauma on incarcerated African

American youth they found that men who have had childhood trauma were more delinquent.

Also, controlling for both trauma and racial discrimination, trauma symptoms further elevated

delinquency (Kong, H. & Burton, D.L., 2014, p.1118). Being racially discriminated can lead to

delinquency for example, police tend to patrol poor neighborhoods, where many minority youth

reside, more often (Gabbidon & Greene, 2013). Minority youth, especially young African

American males, have indeed reported being treated with suspicion by police (Brunson & Miller,

2006; Stewart, Baumer, Brunson, & Simons, 2009). This means for those who have been

affected by the police are more likely to volunteer in delinquency after being racially

discriminated. In another research they link discrimination to delinquency by using the strain

theory to do their research. Strain theory is define as “relationships in which others are not

treating the individual as he or she would like to be treated” (Simons, R.L., Chen, Y., Stewart

E.A., Brody,G.H.(2003). When a person is not treated how they want because the emotions can

create pressure leading to delinquency.

Familial Environment

Familial environment can also have several causes that motivate juveniles to commit a

crime. Familial environment is the primary place of socialization where it can be the first step
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where juveniles can be easily influenced by their parents or siblings and lead to a delinquent act.

In familial environment there can be different factors such as single parent families, abuse, and

being in a unpleasant environment. Single parent families is one of the factors that contribute

towards juvenile delinquency. In another study where they compare the differences between

substance-abusing families and those from non-substance-abusing families they find out that

most delinquents do come from broken homes. (McGaha, J.E., Leoni, E.L.,1995).

In this research youth had committed auto theft, the juveniles had similar backgrounds

which include single parent families and they have had someone in their family commit a crime.

When asked if any members of their immediate family had been involved in crime, 41%

reported that someone in their family had had major involvement, 41% reported minor

involvement, and only 19% reported no involvement by other family members (Anderson, J. &

Linden, R., 2014, p. 245). These youth have grown up in a family where they have witnessed

someone commit a crime which can easily influence them to do the same.

In a research where they study why juveniles reoffend they find that some of the

reasons are because juveniles return home to dysfunctional parents (Demeter, L. A. & Sibanda,

N., 2017, p.16). The reason they tend is because they come out of the juvenile justice system

and are place back into the community where they aren't getting much help. Some studies

especially highlighted the parental absence, separation and poor supervision prior to teenage

years of a child as contributing factors to drug use (Mirlashari, L., Demirkol, A., Salsali, M.,

Rafiehyh, H., & Jahabani J., 2012, p. 462). In another study where they compare the

differences between substance-abusing families and those from non-substance-abusing families

they find out that most delinquents do come from broken homes.
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CONCLUSION

This review of the literature will help us get an understanding on juvenile delinquency

and why is committed. Familial and social environment are factors that cause juveniles to

offend. We get a deeper understanding behind familial environment for example juveniles

growing up in a single parent families, and social environment where we have peer pressure

impacting juveniles. We get to see the barriers juveniles face that lead up to a situation that puts

them in the juvenile justice system. This research will examine the different factors behind

familial and social environment impacts juveniles to commit a delinquent act. At the end of this

research study, peer pressure will be one of the main reasons juveniles commit delinquent acts

due to their peer influence.

Research Design

Data Collection
In order to go more in depth and trying to find some of the reasons juveniles commit

delinquent acts, I will doing observational on random students and survey study on 100 students.

I will be observing students from Richmond High School, and how they interact in classes with

their peers, observe them in during their lunch and observe their actions. An example of their

actions would be comparing the students in a classroom vs. their lunch break. I will observe the

groups whom students hang out with. I will try and focus the types of peers they hangout with,

whether they are a positive or negative influence.The survey will be given to 100 random

students. The survey will consist of four questions which are;1. Have you ever been pressured

into doing things that you feel are out of your comfort zone? 2. If you answer yes, what have you

been pressured into? ( stealing, smoking, breaking school rules, selling or taking drugs) 3. If you

were influenced by peer pressure, how do you feel it affected you? ( positive or in a negative
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way) 4. What is your age and gender?. The survey method will provide me statistical results on

how many youth have been impacted by peer pressure, their age and the type of activity they

were involved with.

Data Analysis
After observing the students, I noticed that students act differently in class than they do in

their lunch break. In the classroom students were not disruptive to the teacher, they turned in

their classwork and followed instructions from the teacher. When it came to group work I

noticed that they picked their friends right away. They got their work done but they were

pressured to finish their classwork since it was due at the end of class. Observing the students

during lunch I noticed a different vibe. Students during lunch had their certain groups, but I

noticed a group of 14 guys who hanged out with each other every lunch break. These students

consistently were getting in trouble. They would throw water bottles, ketchup, mayonnaise, and

mustard packets to other students, walk in a mob, and push each other around. I decided to

observe them in the classroom and they would do their work but mostly had their head down or

be on their phone for the most of the time. I asked the security on their opinions on the 14 guys

who were always causing trouble and they said they do it to fit in because of their friends. They

want to be classified as the cool guys on school. I agreed with the security guards, when the

students would throw water bottles it would be funny to them and they would continuously say

“throw another one”, “ bet I’ll hit him”, “I dare you to throw the packet”.

After reviewing the surveys it turns out that out of the 100 students 70% of the randomly

selected students have been peered pressure into doing something they did not feel comfortable

doing. Most students answered yes to being influenced by peer pressure, 30% said they have

been peered pressured into smoking, 20% said they have been influence into stealing, 10% were

influence into selling drugs and the other 10% were pressured on breaking school rules. 70% of
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the students said they were affected by peer pressure in a negative way. 20% of the students who

took the survey were female and 80% were males.

After my findings I can conclude that peer pressure plays a role on youth when they are

being influenced by their peers to commit a delinquent act. Males are more likely to be influence

by peers than females. The observation study helped me understand that students have their

groups and are influenced by them to do actions and make them fit in and how peer pressure has

affected them in negative way. After this research study peer pressure does influence juveniles

to commit delinquent acts.

Limitations
Throughout my research paper I was exposed to many weaknesses and limitations. There

has not been much research on positive peer pressure and I was limited on dysfunctional families

resources since there has not been much research on how dysfunctional parents impact juveniles

in commiting a delinquent acts. Usually, peer pressure is viewed in a negative way but peer

pressure can have a positive impact. I have also had biased opinions since I came from a

neighborhood filled with gang and violence. Growing up in a neighborhood where you can be

easily be influenced by people who want you to fit in a certain group, I can say that that peer

pressure does play a huge role when it comes to making a delinquent act decision. My biased

opinion on peer pressure has always been negative since I have never been effected in a positive

way. The limitations was agreeing with the sources that talked about peer pressure in a negative

way and agreeing on the adrenaline and edgework that rushes through a juveniles body after

committing a delinquent act. Another limitation is having honest responses from students after

taking the survey. I would not know if the students who took the survey were honest or if they

lied.

Reflection
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I chose to do a research study on juveniles and the factors that motivate them to commit

delinquent acts. I wanted to get answers on what goes on a juveniles life that causes them to do a

delinquent act at such a young age. I am currently enrolled in Political Science 257 which is

Juvenile Justice. We go over the reasons juvenile commit crimes, programs that help youth stay

off the streets, the difference in neighborhoods with crime rates and whether juveniles are most

likely to leave or return into the juvenile or criminal justice system. I have always wanted to

work with juveniles, so doing this type of research will help me in the future. After seeing my

research unfold, I have identified many factors that contribute towards juvenile delinquency

resulting in a better understanding of the reasons why they commit crimes. I never thought I

would do research on what influences juveniles to commit a crime so doing research that I

actually enjoy was very interesting especially in my findings. My next step in my research is to

find more information on peer pressure since peer pressure sometimes is positive. There hasn’t

been much research on positive peer pressure and it is something I am willing to study on. The

next steps for future research projects is to be more organized with the documents in my

findings. I would also like to do a research project on something interesting that I would like

learn since it would motivate me to go in deep when researching. Something different I would do

different would be to narrow down my question and focus on three main topics that lead to

juvenile delinquency.
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REFERENCE PAGE

Anderson,J. & Linden, R. (2014). Why Steal Cars? A Study of Young Offenders Involved in

Auto Theft. Canadian Journal of Criminology & Criminal Justice. 56(2) 1-26.

Demeter, L. A. & Sibanda, N.(2017). Neighborhood Risk and Resources

Correlated With Successful Reentry of Youth Returning from Massachusetts

Detention Centers. Journal of Juvenile Justice. 6(1) 15-32.

Gaete,G., Labbe, N., del Villar, P., Allende,C., Araya,R. & Valenzuela, E. (2018).

Mental Health and Associated Factors Young Offenders in Chile: A Cross

Sectional Study. Criminal Behaviour & Mental Health. 28(1) 13-27.

Kong, H. & Burton, D.L. (2014). Effects of Racial Discrimination, Childhood

Trauma, and Trauma Symptoms on Juvenile Delinquency in African American

Incarcerated Youth. Journal of Aggression, maltreatment & Trauma. 23(10) 1109-1125.

Reed, M. D. & Rountree, P.W. (1997). Peer Pressure and Adolescent

Substance Use. Journal of Quantitative Criminology. 13(2) 143-180.

McGaha, J.E., Leoni E.L.(1995)Family Violence, Abuse and Related Family Issues of

Incarcerated Delinquents With Alcoholic Parents Compared to Those With

Nonalcoholic Parents. Criminal Justice. 118(30).

Mirlashari, L., Demirkol, A., Salsali, M., Rafiehyh, H. & Jahabani, J., (2012). Early

Childhood

Experiences, Parenting and the Process of Drug Dependency among young people in

Tehran, Iran. Drug and Alcohol Review. 3, 461- 468.

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Simons, R.L., Chen, Y., Stewart E.A., Brody, G.H. (2003). Incident of Discrimination and

Risk for Delinquency: A Strain Theory With An African American Sample. Justice

Quarterly. 20(4) 827-854.

Siegel, L.J., (2000). Social Process Theories. Belmont, CA. Wadsworth Publishing Company.

Sutherland, E.H., Cressey,D.R. (1978). Criminology. Philadelphia: Lippincott.