Juvenile Justice

Various theories for juvenile crime have been offered through the years. Some researchers point to individual traits, such as neurological (brain) functioning, nutritional deficiencies, and psychological or emotional problems. Others point to the youth's living environment. Poor children often do not have educational, economic, and social opportunities. Drug use and other criminal activity may be occurring within the family. The juvenile may be hanging around with other delinquent youths, sometimes in gangs who offer alternative ways to gain social status.

Many still believe the major factor affecting delinquent behavior is poor parenting, with little or no control over the youth or worse, when parents simply do not care. The favored method to solving juvenile crime for some is not through harsh punishment, but in childcare and educational programs to address the issues of poverty, drug abuse, and neglect.