T Edwards
CJS/240
January 9, 2011
Juvenile delinquency is a world problem that has been around for centuries. But it is
only now in this present era that the problem is truly being recognized due to the amount
of problems and issues it brings before the courts with young and under age adolescents.
Because of this research is being done to pinpoint the exact causes and reasons for
juvenile delinquency. It is common knowledge that children or teenagers are not created
alike, nor do they think or act the same either. However for some their actions are due to
genetics while others are psychodynamic. As these problems continue to manifest they
become known as theories.
My first theory …show more content…
Studies by Donald J. West has also shown that when
parental criminality is present their behavior and actions influence delinquent. One
example of this type of behavior is school yard bullying. It is said that 37 percent of
boys that has criminal fathers will become multiple offenders compare to those who
don’t. Furthermore findings revealed that juvenile violence among environmental
deprived homes was also connected to a lack of parental involvement (Thomas Learning
Inc., 2005).
The next theory is known as psychodynamic, which is the systematic study and theory
of the psychological forces that underlie human behavior. This emphasizes the interplay
between the unconscious and conscious motivation. According to this theory which was
introduced by Sigmund Freud the Australian Doctor, a person’s personality will consist
of three components. There is the id, the ego, and the superego. Each of these
components hold a thread that brings balance when each one is balanced and not taking
over the other. The id is known to seek pleasure; the ego is known to be a more logical
and learned behavior that helps one into not taking drastic actions. Finally there is …show more content…
When these alter egos’s are in balance a persons understanding is
forthright and acceptable. However when one ego takes over or over shadows the other
ego their tends to be issues where a person will act out and do unthinkable things. The
rationality on thinking is none existent (Lippincott & Wilkins, 2006).
As stated above we all know that no two individuals are alike. So with this in mind we
will take a look at why some adolescents are motivated to commit crimes and why others
in similar circumstances are not motivated to commit the same acts. We will look at one
important aspect that can determine some actions in an adolescent’s behavior which is
the home environment. A home environment that is stable, conducive and have attentive
and caring adults will at times produce a stable adolescent. When parents are a part of
their adolescent’s life in a positive and encouraging way it presents the opportunity for
that adolescent to do right and not to disappoint their parents. The adolescent will think
over their situation before acting out in a way that will produce criminal behavior. On the
other hand an adolescent that comes from a broken home with little to no supervision