Young Offenders and Youth Justice - Research Paper Example

An assessment of the causes of anti-social behavior among young people in the U.S A General Overview of the Area of Study The issue of anti-social behavior among young people in the U.S has been debatable for quite a long time. There has been a concern of how the society views and deals with young people. Some people believe that juvenile engage in antisocial behaviors because of lack of good rearing by the parents, while others believe that the whole society has failed to instill morals to its young people. However, studies have documented that due to increase in poverty and technology, young people are involved in different crimes (Barnickol 430). Conversely, studies have also documented that culture dictates the parenting style, which in turn has a lot to do with the child’s development. In light with his, it has been argued that bad parenting style has effects on the behavior of a child. Although measures exist, it is apparent that they have not elucidated on how best strategies they use can comprehensively address the problem. What is currently evident is that these measures lessen the situation with little empirical approach being adopted in order to address the causes of anti-social behavior among young people (Hancock 142). In this regard, more emphasis has been on the correctional perspective, but this problem requires a comprehensive approach, which incorporates both correctional and preventive approaches. With such deliberations, the current research would be of help in utilizing theoretical frameworks in order to ascertain the best approaches to use in order to both correct and mitigate causes of anti-social behavior among young people. A Contextual Summary of Research in This Area In an effort to analyze the causes of anti-social behavior among young people, it is crucial to understand the origin of anti-social behavior, ways of dealing with it, and how to prevent it. There are several reasons as to why young people engage in anti-social behaviors. Studies have indicated that poverty is a major factor to be considered. Due to poverty, young people tend to indulge in anti-social behaviors as a result of desperation in life (Solhkhah 65). To some, this is the only way to relieve their stress while to others; anti-social behaviors are sources of their livelihood. Another major concern involves poor parenting. It is believed that poor parenting can slowly develop a culture of unruly behavior. Parents who use permissive parenting style tend to unknowingly encourage their children to engage in unruly behaviors (Harr 64). However, some studies have noted that when parents are unable to provide basic necessities to their children, they have little control over their lives. To some parents, they become too busy to have quality time with their children. This way, children tend to imitate other people without any control of their actions (Gottfredson 94). In fact, when this continues and they realize their parents cannot control their lives, most of them indulge in drugs – something that highly contributes to delinquent behavior. An Introduction of Key Research Questions In regard to the above-mentioned issues, it is apparent that there is a need to have the issue of anti-social behaviors among young people addressed comprehensively (Gaines 28). The current research aims at presenting theoretical and comparative measures to not only reform the already existing youth justice system but also to provide a framework that can help reduce and prevent cases of anti-social behaviors among young people. In this scope, the hypothesis of the research argues that if community based programs that deal with child rearing can be introduced, the rate of juvenile anti-social behaviors can be reduced (Hodge 103). In this regard, the research aims to find solutions to the following questions, which will give an overview of causes of anti-social behavior among young people. 1. What causes of anti-social behavior among young people. 2. How effective are the programs designed to deal with issues affecting young people? 3. What are alternative programs that can be used to prevent anti-social behaviors? Objectives of the study 1. To assess the causes of anti-social behavior among young people 2. To evaluate on the effectiveness of programs designed to deal with issues affecting young people 3. To find out alternative programs that can be used to prevent anti-social behaviors A Prediction of the Expected Outcomes of the Research With several deliberations pointed out by various scholars, it can be argued that a lot more can be done in relation to reduction of anti-social behaviors among young people. Literatures have documented that a more integrated approach to the issue can help reduce effects of anti-social behaviors among young people (May 74). In this regard, the findings obtained from this research can be used to provide a guideline of how young people can be mentored in order to reduce the rate of antisocial behaviors. The framework of this research can be incorporated in other scientific analysis of the phenomena at hand. Following increase in cases of anti-social behaviors among young people, it is worth noting that this research will highly contribute to a mechanism of dealing with the issue. Besides, since there have not been any researches that have elucidated on how the issue can be dealt with comprehensively, it is the view of the researcher that additional research can be used to reduce the rate of anti-social behavior among young people. Methodology The study will be carried out using the descriptive, cross-sectional survey design. The design will involve collecting data on a sample or cross-section of the respondents who will be selected to represent young people and practitioners in the juvenile justice system. This study design will investigate the problem by use of questionnaires, and interview schedules. The study will use stratified random sampling. Investigator finds this sampling procedure appropriate because the target respondents will be divided into two strata: the young people and practitioners in the juvenile justice system. After data collection, editing, coding of similar themes, classifying and tabulating are the processing steps to be used to process the collected data for a better and efficient analysis. The two statistical methods and descriptive and inferential analysis will be applied to measure and determine the relationship that exists among the collected data. The package MS excel will be used to present the results of the data. According to Gregory 2003, the researcher has to be careful to avoid causing physical or psychological harm to respondents by asking embarrassing and irrelevant questions, threatening language or making respondents nervous. For the purpose of this study, permission will first be sought from relevant authorities and a letter granted to allow carrying out the research. Furthermore, the purpose of the study will be explained to the respondents and assure them of confidentiality of their responses and identities. Works Cited: Barnickol, Laura. “The Disparate Treatment of Males and Females within the Juvenile Justice System.” Journal of law and policy 2.2 (2000): 429–436. Print. Gaines, Larry, and Roger Miller. Criminal Justice in Action. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub. Co., 2011. Print. Gottfredson, Michael, Travis Hirschi. A General Theory of Crime. Stanford, Calif. Stanford Univ. Press, 2001. Print. Hancock, Daniel. Juvenile Justice Reform: Realigning Responsibilities. New York: DIANE publishing, 2009. Print. Harr, Scott. Constitutional Law and the Criminal Justice System. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008. Print. Hodge, Alvin. Understanding the Components within the Criminal Justice System 101. S. l.: Outskirts Press, 2009. Print. May, David. Corrections and the Criminal Justice System. Udbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Pub, 2008. Print. McLanahan, Sara, et al. “Juvenile Justice.” The Future of Children 18.2 (2008):1–185. Print. Solhkhah, Ramon, and Timothy Wilens. “Pharmacotherapy of Adolescent Alcohol and Other Drug Use Disorders.” Alcohol Health & Research World 22.2 (1998): 1–99. Print. Steinberg, Laurence. “Less Guilty by Reason of Adolescence.” American Psychological Association 58.12 (2003): 1009–1018. Print. Gregory, Ian. Ethics in research. Continuum International Publishing Group, London. 2003. Print. Read More