Juvenile Delinquency Reduction Efforts
Two of the most renowned juvenile delinquency reduction programs in the writer’s society include Adolescent Diversion Project and Aggression Replacement Training (ART). Adolescent Diversion Project aims to motivate criminals belonging to minor age category to adopt civilized and gentle behaviors. Such criminals are given special training in jails after they have committed a crime in which they are taught and made aware of the value of being socially responsible (National Institute of Justice, 2016).
On the other hand, ART is mainly directed to prevent minors from aggressions through psychological training into different dimensions. They build social skills through moral reasoning and by learning how to control their emotions in demanding situations. Both these interventions aim to promote socially responsible patterns of behaviors among youngsters who have violent elements in their mindset and approach (to any matter/s) (National Institute of Justice, 2016).
Theoretical Background
The writer identifies two sociological theories in close proximity with the interventions that shape public policy towards the prevention of juvenile delinquency. One of these two theories is social control theory according to which behavior and attitude of youngsters towards society can be controlled through internal fear among individuals against the consequences of wrongdoing when institutions fail to overcome the issue comprehensively (as in the case of America) (Flowers, 2002). According to general observation, several people stay civil and polite just to protect their reputation rather than being guided by moral principles or controlled externally.
Secondly, cultural transmission theory applies to the prevention discussed above according to which youngsters behave and act based on their learning and understanding. Therefore, they should ideally be taught the value of morality and social skills that are part of the interventions discussed in the earlier part (Flowers, 2002).
Recommendations
First of all, it is recommended that most of the juvenile delinquency programs should be based on “nip in the bud” approach. Policies should rather be preventive instead of being based on conversion (as two discussed above). There should be a well-directed campaign involving teams visiting homes of parents with notes, guides, and lectures on how to bring up their children in the true spirit of social responsibility and morality. It is much better, as it aims to spread morality in a way that it becomes the part of the culture in a systematic way diminishing the need for conversion (after a huge percentage of the population has already got indulged into aggressive behavior). One such consideration is an early childhood “Home Visitation Program” launched in California that has received much appreciation due to comprehensiveness and deep insight at its base (Children Now, 2014).
Secondly, the government should also support low class families with special income support programs. Furthermore, talented youngsters from such families should be provided decent job opportunities on a priority basis. According to a theory backed by empirical evidence, the difference between social classes and authorities’ negligence to that is one of the major causes of negative influence among youngsters belonging to lower or middle class. They invest their energies in negative directions due to social injustice on the part of institutions (Flowers, 2002). Their decent participation in employed workforce and proper attention on the part of government can contribute to promoting positive behavior among minors in a comparatively better way.
References
Children Now. (2015). Early Childhood Home Visiting in California: The Right Place at the Right Time. Retrieved August 11, 2016, from https://www.childrennow.org/files/9314/1762/6445/CN-HomeVisiting-PolicyBrief.pdf
Flowers, B. (2002). Sociological Perspectives on Delinquent Behavior. National Criminal Justice Reference Service, pp. 115-126
National Institute of Justice. (2016). Juveniles: Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved August 11, 2016, from https://www.crimesolutions.gov/TopicDetails.aspx?ID=62
