Theories Of Juvenile Delinquency

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III. Juvenile Delinquency
A. Theories of Delinquency
Throughout history, communities and experts have varying opinions when it comes to explaining why there are juveniles or minors violating rules and laws. According to Martin (2005), early experts and communities tried to explain juvenile delinquency with two theories: demonism and naturalism. Naturalism pertains to the ‘practice of linking human affairs with the natural world, justifying human behavior with the influence of nature.’ For example, if the change due to lunar and solar cycles, human behavior is also affected by these forces. Ancient civilizations in the Mediterranean use this theory to determine the outcome of wars and abnormal occurrences unexplainable in the period.
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The biological theories highlight that criminals are born and not made or influenced by various factors. Hess (2009), reported that genetic mishaps can trigger a family member’s change from the typical norms of one family, becoming a deviant or delinquent in the process. Five studies indicated by biological theorists argue that biological factors influence delinquent behavior: physiognomy, phrenology, body type, and heredity. In physiognomy, delinquency is attached to the character traits assigned to one’s physical features such as a person’s face. In the Middle Ages for instance, if two suspects become suspected of the same crime, the uglier one is charged with the …show more content…

The most notable treatment provided to American juveniles is probation. Under this treatment scheme, a juvenile under probation is monitored and supervised by an officer of the court to ensure that he or she meets the conditions set by court to remain free. Some of the conditions given to juveniles under probation include group counselling, community service and drug treatment. If the juvenile in question has fulfilled all the requirements and satisfied the court, he or she would be freed from probation. Probation can be considered a testament to a delinquent’s capacity to change especially if these juveniles are guided and helped for their recovery. When it is applied efficiently, juveniles will be able to exercise their liberties and the safety of the public is still sustained. Probation also avoids the possibilities of alienation and confinement which may affect the reintegration of the delinquent back to society (Siegel & Welsh, 2010, pp.

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