Theories of Juvenile Crime - Assignment Example

Running Head: Theories of Juvenile Crime Theories of Juvenile Crime [Institute’s Theories of Juvenile Crime Juvenile crimes take place when individuals mainly under the age of eighteen commit a crime. Researchers have investigated for generations to clarify why juveniles engage in felonious acts. One of the theories, which best explains youth crimes is that of rational theorists. Rational behavior theorists argue that perpetrators are personally responsible for unlawful acts and so they must get a penalty accordingly.

In 1968, Becker (Books, 2010) claimed that juveniles weigh personal factors such as need, vengeance and pleasure and situational factors such as how well protected a target is and then set out to commit a crime. Hence, the basic cause of juvenile delinquency is rational choice- the choice between what is more important-the need or the outcome (Hakim, S., & Blackstone, 1996). Similar to all theories, rational behavior theory has its pros and cons too. The theory is quite reliable as it explains every sort of felony (robbery, drug use, hostility, etc.). Becker and Mehlkop’s suggested theories that also prove that juveniles do not commit crimes when the probability of punishment increases (Hakim, S.

, & Blackstone, 1996). One of the most common criticisms of this theory is that it over emphasizes individual choice and does not integrate societal issues, such as an unfavorable living environment into a person’s potential for criminality. In addition, the theory is a bit cost-conscious. Although it claims that a juvenile will commit a crime based on rational choice, there are still many issues that the person must reflect on before deciding whether or not to risk defying the law.  “The theory explains the causation of crime by assuming that after evaluation of certain factors, an individual uses free will and rational choice in the decision-making process before committing a crime” (Books, 2010).

Despite of some convincing criticisms, the theory has influenced historic events and it is one of the oldest justifications for crime today. References Books. (2010). Rational Choice Theory. General Books LLC. Hakim, S., & Blackstone, E. A. (1996). Securing Home and Business. Butterworth-Heinemann.