Trends of Violence in Juvenile Crimes - Research Paper Example

Running head: Juvenile crimes Trends of violence in juvenile crimes The increasing rate of juvenile crimes is a major matter of concern for most of the countries. As per the recent reports from all over the world show that juveniles are not reluctant in using any type of armoury in order to execute their missions. Lack of parental control, drug and alcohol addiction, influence of medias etc are the major reasons cited by the sociologists for the increased rate of juvenile crimes. As per the current trends, shooting incidents and sexual offenses are more among juveniles. Some serious terrorist attacks occurred recently on some corners of the world also show the involvement of juveniles. This paper investigates the current trends in violent juvenile crimes and its reasons. Introduction Criminal and violent activities among children are increasing day by day because of the changing life styles among children. Lack of parental care, drug and alcohol addiction, influence of print media, television and internet upon children were some of the main reasons for the childish offenses. Adult crime and juvenile crime are dealt separately by the court. For example, shooting and killing of another person by an adult and a juvenile will be considered differently by the court. “There are somewhere between 250,000 and 300,000 cases of child sexual abuse each year in the U.S.” (Understanding Juvenile Sex Offenders) “Juveniles account for about one-quarter of the sex offenses in the U.S.” (JONES, p.1) Most of the juveniles who suffered sexual abuse will hide it from the public view because of shame. Compared to adults, juvenile offenders are more dangerous since in most cases, their abusive behaviour will continue throughout their life span. Some of the juvenile crimes may not be much harmful to the society whereas some other crimes may be violent also. Gun usage is not controlled much in the American society and the juveniles are using it just like a toy in their hands. Even simple juvenile clashes result in shooting incidents which kill or injure lot of innocent people because of the immaturity. Trends of Violence in juvenile crimes The accused terrorist, Mohammad Kazab, who has been caught alive from the recent Mumbai terrorist attack, has argued that he was not an adult, in the court where the trial of the Mumbai attack is going on. Whether it is right or wrong it is a proven fact that juveniles are currently engaged in more dangerous violent activities than before. AK 47 or Missile launchers are not a surprising thing for at least some of them. Reports from Sri Lanka have showed that the Liberation tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) have used juveniles immensely for fighting against the Sri Lankan governments. “Police have arrested two Virginia teens in connection with Thursdays shootings along Interstate 64 near Charlottesville, Va., which left two people injured and six vehicles hit by gunfire” (Date et al, 2008) From the above examples it is clear that juvenile violent crimes are a major global problem and current trends have attained fearful propositions as far as juvenile crimes are concerned. “Exposure to gun violence makes adolescents twice as likely to perpetrate serious violence in the next two years, according to a University of Michigan study. Researchers found there is a substantial cause and effect relationship between exposure and perpetration of violence” (Juvenile Crime and Issues) Gun is just like a toy in American society. Unlike many other countries, it is easy for the juveniles to keep a gun with them if they were interested in it. It is easy that a juvenile get agitated over some issue and shoot his colleagues. Adolescent period is a life stage in which the emotions control the wisdom rather than wisdom controlling the emotions. The increased influence of emotions over wisdom, usually leads towards violence because of the juvenile’s inability to segregate between good and the evils. Some statistics published by Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is listed below. “About 1 in 15 victims of nonfatal violent crimes by juveniles (7 percent) was an adult who was a stranger to the offender. Most (74 percent) of the victims who reported violent crimes by juveniles said the offender was a male Among all victims of violent crimes involving juvenile offenders, 17 percent faced multiple juveniles acting together and 15 percent faced juveniles and adults acting together. Among victims of robberies involving juveniles, 61 percent faced multiple offenders. In sexual assaults, robberies, and aggravated assaults committed by juveniles, 40 percent of victims were injured, compared with 48 percent of the victims of the same offenses committed by adults. About 1 in 2 juvenile victims of violent crime (51 percent) faced a juvenile offender. About 1 in 10 adult victims of violent crime (9 percent) faced a juvenile offender” (Montaldo) Former US President Clinton has once said while addressing the congressmen that the recent deadly school shootings, shows “a changing culture" of violent movies and video games that teach children they can lash out with guns. He coupled an expression of the nations grief with a plea to Congress to pass his juvenile crime bill, which includes a provision banning violent juveniles from buying guns for life. (Clinton Says School Shooting Incidents Reflect `Changing Culture) Buying of guns by juveniles is not restricted or controlled in America and hence it is easy for the juveniles to keep guns with them always while at school, home or in the society. Juveniles get agitated more easily and rapidly and they will not spent time for a second thought before using the gun. “Research into long-term data from a childhood lead study in Ohio indicates a direct link between prenatal and early-childhood lead exposure and an increased risk for criminal behavior in later life” (Juvenile Crime and Issues) It is a fact that the current parents are not giving enough care to their children because of their busy life schedules both at home and at the workplace. In most of the families both the husband and wife are engaged in some sort of professional life which forced them to keep their children in day care centers. Thus the much needed love and affection at the early childhood period has been denied to the children, which may result in the development of antisocial behavior among such children. During childhood their problematic behavior may not cause much harm to the society, but during adolescent period, such children may engage in violent criminal activities or sexual offenses. “About half of all adult sex offenders are thought to have initiated their criminal careers during adolescence. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), juveniles were arrested for approximately 12.4% of all forcible rapes committed in 2001” (Saleh et al, p.1) Reasons for juvenile violent offenses The major reason for juvenile violent offenses is the influence of media and internet upon children. Most of the television programs and internet contents include violent and sex related items. Immaturity in the way of thinking and activities is another reason for violent offenses of the juveniles. Segregation of good and evils is difficult at the adolescent period because of the growth of some peculiar hormones at these ages. Juveniles hate any sort of barriers in their life and restrictions always increase their thirst for breaking the social laws. Drug addiction and alcohol addiction are another reason for violent offenses by juveniles. It is impossible for the juveniles to control their emotions and feelings under the influence of drug or alcohol. The distorted thinking under the influence of these things will lead them towards violence. Even the adults are dangerous under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Some studies have shown that some of the ingredients in drugs and alcohol can provoke violent behavior which that person may not do during his normal periods. Another reason for juvenile violent crime is the childhood experiences. Some children might have been sexually exploited by others during their childhood which will generate desperations and frustrations in the minds of such children. Such children will grow up keeping revenge towards the society always which will result in violent behaviours. “Studies indicate that between 40% and 80% of sexually abusive youth have themselves been sexually abused, and that 20% to 50% have been physically abused” (Understanding Juvenile Sex Offenders) Social norms and family concepts are changing every day. The strength of family and social relationships are declining which indirectly increases the problematic behaviors of the juveniles. The close relationships or blood relationships which were valued as a sacred one as per the traditional customs, has been changed a lot in the current world because of the changing way of social thinking. Parent-children relationships were also becoming more and more professional or diplomatic rather than intimate. Conclusions Juvenile crime rates are increasing gradually all over the world because of so many reasons like the influence of media, lack of parental care, childhood experiences etc. Even terrorists and other antisocial elements are trying to utilize the vigour of youthful energy in order to execute their missions. Recent trends show that some of the juveniles are involved in even terrorist attacks along with other violent crimes such as gun fighting, robbery, sexual offenses etc. References 1. Clinton Says School Shooting Incidents Reflect `Changing Culture, 1998, Retrieved on 28 August 2009 from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-661562.html 2. DATE JACK, THOMAS PIERRE, JAFFE MATTHEW and COOK THERESA, 2008, Second Teen Arrested in Va. Shooting Spree, Retrieved on 28 August 2009 from http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4539944&page=1 3. Juvenile Crime and Issues, Retrieved on 28 August 2009 from http://crime.about.com/od/juvenile/Juvenile_Crime_and_Issues.htm 4. JONES MAGGIE , 2007, How Can You Distinguish a Budding Pedophile From a Kid With Real Boundary Problems? Retrieved on 28 August 2009 from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/magazine/22juvenile-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 5. Montaldo Charles, 2009, Most Juvenile Crime Victims Are Other Juveniles, Retrieved on 28 August 2009 from http://crime.about.com/od/juvenile/a/juvenile_vics.htm 6. Saleh, Fabian M, Vincent, Gina M, 2004, JUVENILES WHO COMMIT SEX CRIMES, Retrieved on 28 August 2009 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3882/is_200401/ai_n9383794/ 7. Understanding Juvenile Sex Offenders, 2002, Retrieved on 28 August 2009 from http://www.practicenotes.org/vol7_no2/understand_jso.htm Read More