Violent Crimes Among Juveniles.

Behavioral Aspects

The United States is home to approximately 57 million children under age 15 and nearly 20 million between 4 and 8 years old. Experts believe that the teenage population may reach almost 30 million by 2006. [1] This population growth may partially explain why the United States has witnessed a nationwide epidemic of juvenile violence in the past 15 years. More violent and troubled youth are entering the juvenile justice system than ever before.

Indeed, although crime rates have decreased across the United States, violent crimes (e.g., murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) [2] among juveniles increased by 14.9 percent from 1989 to 1998. [3] In 1998, law enforcement officers arrested more than 1.8 million teenagers under age 18, representing 18 percent of all persons arrested. [4] Twenty-nine percent of these youths were arrested for Crime Index offenses. [5]

Several factors--such as child abuse, a difficult home life, and exposure to crime--can predict certain types of future behavior. Although these factors may adversely affect juvenile behavior, serious and violent juvenile offenders tend to develop behavior problems--such as aggression, dishonesty, property offenses, and conflict with authority figures--from childhood to adolescence. [6] Parents, law enforcement officers, schools, and community organizations must recognize the behavior patterns of delinquents to implement appropriate crime prevention strategies.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Numerous variables affect children during specific stages of their lives. [7] During infancy, such factors as sex, intellect, activity level, temperament, and attention span may affect behavior. During the toddler, or preschool, stage, children may demonstrate risk-taking and sensation-seeking behavior and fail to show a sense of guilt or empathy. In early adolescence, poor parental supervision, depression, excessive sibling rivalry, peer rejection, or exposure to violence may cause children to react negatively, leading to violent behavior. [8]

Many juvenile delinquents lack proper guidance and direction in their lives. Because they are subjected to multiple risk factors, these children may become more violent. For example, in 1994, over 4 million American children lived in severely distressed homes or neighborhoods that contributed to violent tendencies among troubled juveniles. [9] Additionally, the divorce rate has increased over the past 20 to 30 years, and many experts support the "broken homes theory," which implies that homes with one parent absent--usually the father-- may contribute to future delinquent behavior of children. Often, in situations without a positive male role model, mothers may have less control and authority over their children, particularly boys. This theory also maintains that a family with only one parent present may have to reduce its standard of living and ultimately live in impoverished conditions that present an environment for delinquent behavior. [10]

Several studies suggest that a pattern of aggressive or intolerant behavior may signal future problems. [11] This type of behavior prevails in children ages 6 to 11 who participate in nonserious delinquent acts. Research shows that sexual or physical abuse victims; youths exposed to violence in the home, community, or from television; and adolescents who use illegal drugs and alcohol may have a higher propensity for developing violent tendencies. Further, consistent experimentation with sexual activity at a young age also may predict violent behavior. [12] Finally, socioeconomic factors such as poverty, severe deprivation of necessities, divorce or separation of parents, and family separation may have a negative impact on impressionable youth and lead to violent tendencies. [13]

BEHAVIOR PATTERNS

For years, researchers have developed models depicting various reasons for childhood delinquency. Early studies focused on biological factors; however, experts now believe that social and psychological factors influence delinquency, as well. The current clinical model factors in an individual's personality type. [14] One study concluded that serious and violent juveniles differ from typical youths involved in delinquent conduct. This study identified three paths that adolescent males may follow that lead to a life of delinquency. [15] The first route, the "authority conflict pathway," starts prior to age 12, usually begins with stubborn behavior, and continues with youths' showing defiance and disobedience. At this point, adolescents demonstrate "authority avoidance" [16] by staying out late, skipping school, or running away from home.

The second route, labeled the "overt pathway," usually begins with minor aggressions, such as bullying or annoying others, then progresses to physical fighting. Sometimes adolescents fulfill their need to fight by joining gangs. The final step in the overt pathway is violence.

In the third route, called the "covert pathway," youths first may show minor covert behavior, such as lying or shoplifting, and then progress to property damage, such as vandalism or arson. Adolescents then proceed to moderate or serious offenses such as fraud, burglary, or felony theft.

One study found that male juvenile offenders often live in large, low-income families and may have parents with criminal backgrounds. [17] This study also revealed that parents of male offenders usually supervise their children poorly and use harsh discipline techniques that often cause conflict between the parent and the child. In school, these children demonstrate low levels of intelligence, behave poorly, act impulsively, and associate with other known delinquents. [18] Various intervention strategies can help combat these behavior patterns.

COUNTERMEASURES TO COMBAT JUVENILE VIOLENT CRIME

In order to gain control of the current juvenile crime trend, law enforcement agencies can assist schools and communities in implementing several countermeasures to reduce violent juvenile crimes. Current research indicates that many violent crime issues result from behaviors that an individual has learned, as well as from human elements, such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Law enforcement must recognize the importance of these factors when attempting to determine the root cause of a problem. Implementing effective early intervention and progressive crime prevention strategies remains a key to reducing the current crime trend among juveniles.

School Response

School teachers and counselors play a vital role in detecting known risk factors that may lead to juvenile delinquency. By training school staff members to distinguish students who demonstrate violent tendencies, law enforcement agencies can take a proactive approach to help identify and minimize known risk factors that lead to juvenile violence. Police agencies can assist schools in offering children social competence training and discussing ways to resolve conflicts. For example, representatives from local law enforcement agencies, social service organizations, or the juvenile court system could familiarize teachers with known risk factors and behavior patterns of troubled juveniles. Then, the school system could offer intervention through school counseling and organized educational activities. Students must feel that the school system represents a safe place where they can confide in teachers and staff members.

Community Involvement

The community where a child lives also should offer a safe setting that promotes pride and a sense of cohesiveness among the residents. Local police departments should help develop a community policing initiative and encourage community involvement. [19] Developing neighborhood crime prevention strategies involving children, pushing for tougher weapon laws, implementing curfews for youths, and adopting a zero tolerance for alcohol and other drugs can help achieve these goals. Communities and law enforcement agencies must work together to support and mentor youths, as well as to help children overcome preexisting conditions that may later influence their welfare. [20]

Government Programs

The Anti-Gang and Youth Violence Control Act of 1997 designated $75 million for local jurisdictions to disseminate in 1998. This initiative, the Juvenile Mentoring Program (JUMP), includes assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice and may help combat truancy, school violence, and other juvenile crime. Mentors with various backgrounds volunteer their time and develop a rapport with troubled adolescents. [21] By December 1998, over 3,000 youth were enrolled and actively involved in the JUMP project. [22] The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention currently evaluates 93 projects funded under the JUMP program. Both mentors and youths report that mentoring has been a positive experience. Specifically, the program has helped youths avoid alcohol and other drugs, fights, gangs, and refrain from using guns or knives. [23]

Other federal programs also recognize the power and importance of, as well as the need for, youth leadership. For example, the National Youth Network pairs adolescents with adults through communication, action groups, and hands-on participation. [24] They encourage youth interaction with local, state, and federal leaders. This program's missions include promoting youth activities through the media and reaching out to nonaffiliated youth, especially those in the juvenile justice system.[25]

The Drug-Free Communities Support Program combats youth substance abuse, creates an awareness about drug abuse, and offers an alternative for troubled youth.[26] It includes community support from parents, other adolescents, businesses, schools, law enforcement, media, health care professionals, and volunteer groups. This program encourages citizen participation in reducing substance abuse and disseminating information about effective programs. Law enforcement agencies and communities should work together to create these types of programs in their areas.

CONCLUSION

Recent research traces violent juvenile behavior to human and social elements rather than attributing it solely to biological factors. Influences such as community environment, economics, parental care, and school involvement now appear to help determine violent behavior among adolescents. Therefore, countermeasures, such as increased parental and community involvement, the implementation of crime prevention strategies, and intervention of school personnel, can help lower the juvenile crime rate. Because the number of violent juvenile offenders has increased at such a rapid pace, law enforcement agencies must develop and implement comprehensive strategies to help deter violent juvenile offenders from becoming permanent fixtures in the adult criminal justice system.

By monitoring early childhood behavior, remaining aware of contributing factors and warning signs exhibited by delinquents, and discussing crime prevention techniques, parents, school officials, and police officers can help decrease the number of serious juvenile offenders. It is never too early to establish crime prevention programs, and it is never too late to intervene in the life of a troubled youth.

Endnotes

(1.) John Dilulio Jr., and Gary Walker, "The Four M's of Fighting Crime;" available from http://www/pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/little/readings; accessed July 14, 1999.

(2.) U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Un Warm Crime Reports: Crime in the United States 1998 (Washington, DC, 1999), 5.

(3.) Ibid., 220.

(4.) Ibid.

(5.) Ibid., 210. The FBI classifies murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny. theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson as Crime Index offenses.

(6.) U.S/ Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, "Serious and violent Juvenile Offenders," Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Juvenile Justice Bulletin; available from http://www.ncjrs.org/jjhome.htm; accessed July 14, 1999.

(7.) Ibid.

(8.) Ibid.

(9.) J. D. Hawkins, J. Howell, B. Krisberg, and J. J. Wilson, Serious Violent & Chronic Juvenile Offenders, (Thousand Oaks, California; Sage Publications, 1995), 10.

(10.) A. Binder, D. Bruce, and G. Geis, Juvenile Delinquency: Historical, Cultural, Legal Perspectives (New York: MacMillan Publishing Company, 1988), 89.

(11.) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Understanding Violent Behavior in Children and Adolescents, 1997; available from http://www/pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/little/readings/violent .html; accessed July 14, 1999.

(12.) Supra note 6.

(13.) Supra note 11.

(14.) D. Musick, An Introduction to the Sociology of Juvenile Delinquency (Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1995), 87.

(15.) Supra note 6.

(16.) Supra note 6.

(17.) J.D. Hawkins, Delinquency and Crime (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1996), 69.

(18.) Ibid.

(19.) Supra note 6.

(20.) Supra note 9, 53.

(21.) U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, "Justice Department Grant Program to Help Steer Youth Away from Crime and Drug Use," April 1997, available from http://www.ncjrs. org/prcrime.htm; accessed July 14, 1999.

(22.) U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, "Juvenile Mentoring Program," December 1998; available from http://www.ncjrs.org/pdifiles 1/952872.pdf, accessed November 8, 1999.

(23.) Ibid.

(24.) U.S. Department of Justice, National Youth Network, "National Youth Network vision and Mission," January 1998; available from http://www.usdoj.gov/kidspage/getinvalved/8.htm; accessed July 14, 1999.

(25.) Ibid.

(26.) U.S. Department of Justice, Office of National Drug Control Policy and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, "Drug-Free Communities Support Program," September 1998; available from http:// www.ncjrs.org/ojjdp/drugfree/support.html; accessed July 14, 1999.