NCJ Number
77724
Date Published
1981
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This paper presents a research study of 50 cases of the Central Texas Youth Services Bureau, Inc., of Belton, Tex., to determine causes for delinquent behavior, with special emphasis on parental causation as a factor.
Abstract
The preselected potential causes included parent or family conflict, peer group pressure (and gang involvement), drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, mental retardation, mental illness, and school problems. It was hypothesized that the primary cause would be found in the parents or guardians, due to a lack of teaching the child positive values and attitudes and to too much or too little discipline, and failure to impart effective communication skills; moreover, that physical or mental abuse or neglect is a cause for delinquent behavior. The subjects ranged in age from 5 to 18 years with a mean age of 13.8 years, and 50 percent had had contact with legal authorities. The findings supported all four hypotheses. None of the cases was caused by peer group pressure, sexual promiscuity, or mental retardation. However, mental illness caused 1 case, school problems caused 1, drug abuse caused 3, and parents caused 45. Of those with parental causes, 60 percent were due to lack of values, attitude, and discipline; 29 percent were due primarily to abuse or neglect; and 11 percent were due to communication problems. In addition, it was noted that in 62 percent of all cases, one parent either was no longer residing in the home or was severely limited from normal participation in family life. The paper suggests that parents must be properly educated if abuse and delinquency are to be reduced. In addition, community agencies emphasizing voluntary participation of clients should be available in all communities.