Effects of Poverty on Trauncy
Truancy may be operationally defined as the habitual engagement in unexcused absences from school (Dalun, Katsiyannis, Barrett, & Willson, 2007). In regards to juvenile delinquency, truancy cases are minor offenses in court, although it can cause major issues in the future. From 1985 to 2000, juveniles ages 15 and younger accounted for 78% of all truancy cases (Puzzanchera et al., 2004). The percentage of truancy offense cases adjudicated was 63%, with the most common disposition being probation (78%) and out-of-home-placement (10%). The majority of nonadjudicated truancy cases (78%) were dismissed (Puzzanchera et al., 2004).
Truancy is linked to a few major factors, such as social economic status, single-parent homes, lack of social competence, and large school size. Another factor of truancy is inflexibility in meeting the diverse cultural and learning needs of the students (Dalun, Katsiyannis, Barrett, & Willson, 2007). Additionally, truancy can be linked to lack of community support, which is common in impoverished neighborhoods. Truancy is also the first sign of “trouble,” and the most powerful predictor of delinquent behavior during childhood or adolescence, and then later in adulthood (Tait, 2004). Vandalism and burglary have been found to be two of the leading crimes committed by juveniles during school hours (Baker, 2001). In Tacoma, WA, police reported that one-third of burglaries and one-fifth of aggravated assaults occurred on weekdays between 8 am and 1pm (during school hours) by juveniles (Baker, 2001). Contra Costa County police reported that 60 percent of juvenile crimes were committed between 8am and 3pm on weekdays (Baker, 2001). Juvenile Delinquency and its Relationship to Poverty There are many factors leading to delinquent behaviors among juveniles. Peer influence, parental neglect or abuse, poverty, bullying, the media, truancy, trauma, and mental health issues have all been linked to involvement in youth crime (Siegel, 2014). Among these factors, poverty has been found to be one of the leading factors correlating to youth crime (Nikulina, Widom, & Czaja, 2010). In fact, poverty can even be correlated to many of these other factors that are often associated as risk factors for juvenile delinquency. Behaviors/Crime Involvement Research suggests that where one resides matters, in terms of quality of family life and life opportunities, which, directly or indirectly, affects youth development and adjustment (Murry, Gaylord-Harden, Berkel, Copeland-Linder, & Nation, 2011). Children who are living in difficult circumstances are more prone to becoming delinquent (Affairs, 2004). Children living in poorer neighborhoods are more likely to be exposed to trauma, parental alcoholism, abusive conditions in the household, overcrowding, HIV/AIDS, etc. The number of children living in these troubling circumstances has increased significantly between 1992 and 2000 from 80 …show more content…
Strain Theory suggests people are likely to resort to committing crimes when they are unable to achieve the expected goals of society. Social Disorganization Theory suggests that crime is likely to occur when social institutions are not able to direct and control groups of individuals (Hay, Fortson, Hollist, Altheimer, & Schaible, 2007). Among the different types of research that have been done, ethnographic research provides the most consistent evidence linking poverty to delinquency (Jarjoura, Triplett, & Brinker, 2002). An ethnographic study done by Sánchez Jankowiski (1995) looked at some of the motives for delinquent activity among those living in poverty. These motives included people perpetrating crimes, because it was seen as the only opportunity for attaining a higher level of socioeconomic status, or at minimum maintaining their current economic status. For some it was a means of survival. Others living in poverty, especially adolescents, committed crimes to enhance their financial stability in order to have fun; and some committed crimes to receive respect and honor from their community, which becomes a cherished possession in place of the lack of material possessions (Sánchez Jankowski, …show more content…
Some crimes are viewed as more serious than others. For example, status offenses, including curfew violations, running away, disobeying parents, school truancy, and alcohol violations, may be intervened simply by being questioned by a police officer and later returned back to their parents or school facility. On the other hand, more serious offenses, such as assault and battery, vandalism, theft, forcible rape, and manslaughter, are likely to result in the arrest of a delinquent and the involvement in the juvenile court system (Siegel, 2014). In 2011, a total of 1,470,000 juveniles were arrested in the United States for committing a delinquent crime (Puzzanchera,
Truancy may be operationally defined as the habitual engagement in unexcused absences from school (Dalun, Katsiyannis, Barrett, & Willson, 2007). In regards to juvenile delinquency, truancy cases are minor offenses in court, although it can cause major issues in the future. From 1985 to 2000, juveniles ages 15 and younger accounted for 78% of all truancy cases (Puzzanchera et al., 2004). The percentage of truancy offense cases adjudicated was 63%, with the most common disposition being probation (78%) and out-of-home-placement (10%). The majority of nonadjudicated truancy cases (78%) were dismissed (Puzzanchera et al., 2004).
Truancy is linked to a few major factors, such as social economic status, single-parent homes, lack of social competence, and large school size. Another factor of truancy is inflexibility in meeting the diverse cultural and learning needs of the students (Dalun, Katsiyannis, Barrett, & Willson, 2007). Additionally, truancy can be linked to lack of community support, which is common in impoverished neighborhoods. Truancy is also the first sign of “trouble,” and the most powerful predictor of delinquent behavior during childhood or adolescence, and then later in adulthood (Tait, 2004). Vandalism and burglary have been found to be two of the leading crimes committed by juveniles during school hours (Baker, 2001). In Tacoma, WA, police reported that one-third of burglaries and one-fifth of aggravated assaults occurred on weekdays between 8 am and 1pm (during school hours) by juveniles (Baker, 2001). Contra Costa County police reported that 60 percent of juvenile crimes were committed between 8am and 3pm on weekdays (Baker, 2001). Juvenile Delinquency and its Relationship to Poverty There are many factors leading to delinquent behaviors among juveniles. Peer influence, parental neglect or abuse, poverty, bullying, the media, truancy, trauma, and mental health issues have all been linked to involvement in youth crime (Siegel, 2014). Among these factors, poverty has been found to be one of the leading factors correlating to youth crime (Nikulina, Widom, & Czaja, 2010). In fact, poverty can even be correlated to many of these other factors that are often associated as risk factors for juvenile delinquency. Behaviors/Crime Involvement Research suggests that where one resides matters, in terms of quality of family life and life opportunities, which, directly or indirectly, affects youth development and adjustment (Murry, Gaylord-Harden, Berkel, Copeland-Linder, & Nation, 2011). Children who are living in difficult circumstances are more prone to becoming delinquent (Affairs, 2004). Children living in poorer neighborhoods are more likely to be exposed to trauma, parental alcoholism, abusive conditions in the household, overcrowding, HIV/AIDS, etc. The number of children living in these troubling circumstances has increased significantly between 1992 and 2000 from 80 …show more content…
Strain Theory suggests people are likely to resort to committing crimes when they are unable to achieve the expected goals of society. Social Disorganization Theory suggests that crime is likely to occur when social institutions are not able to direct and control groups of individuals (Hay, Fortson, Hollist, Altheimer, & Schaible, 2007). Among the different types of research that have been done, ethnographic research provides the most consistent evidence linking poverty to delinquency (Jarjoura, Triplett, & Brinker, 2002). An ethnographic study done by Sánchez Jankowiski (1995) looked at some of the motives for delinquent activity among those living in poverty. These motives included people perpetrating crimes, because it was seen as the only opportunity for attaining a higher level of socioeconomic status, or at minimum maintaining their current economic status. For some it was a means of survival. Others living in poverty, especially adolescents, committed crimes to enhance their financial stability in order to have fun; and some committed crimes to receive respect and honor from their community, which becomes a cherished possession in place of the lack of material possessions (Sánchez Jankowski, …show more content…
Some crimes are viewed as more serious than others. For example, status offenses, including curfew violations, running away, disobeying parents, school truancy, and alcohol violations, may be intervened simply by being questioned by a police officer and later returned back to their parents or school facility. On the other hand, more serious offenses, such as assault and battery, vandalism, theft, forcible rape, and manslaughter, are likely to result in the arrest of a delinquent and the involvement in the juvenile court system (Siegel, 2014). In 2011, a total of 1,470,000 juveniles were arrested in the United States for committing a delinquent crime (Puzzanchera,