Law Social Science project needing Corrections must have reseach exp (must have excellent reviews)

Children in Juvenile Delinquency

Tommy Bush Sr

Professor Newvine

Troy University

CJ 3375

November 5, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Goal statement, variables, questions P. 3

II. Hypotheses/theories P. 3-4

III. Sampling procedure P. 6

IV. Cover letter P. 8

V. Questionnaire P. 9

VI. Literature review P.10

VII. Data analysis P. 12

VIII. Research findings/conclusion P. 15

IX. Problems encountered P. 16

X. Reference list P. 18

I. Introduction

Research project is the collection of data about a certain issue so as to find out the cause and the solution to it. In this research, we are going to look into minor crimes, and what are the factors or variables are the cause of it.

Goal statement: The objective is to find out what type of kids become delinquent in the state of Florida

Independent Variables: The five key variables that will be explored in this research study are, age, gender, racial differences, family environment and mental health.

Research questions

I. What do you think about the age-group of kids gets booked for juvenile offenses more often?

II. Kids of which gender are more prone to committing juvenile offenses?

III. Does race has any role in juvenile delinquency?

IV. What are the role and the impact of the family environment in juvenile delinquency?

V. Is there any correlation between mental health of the kids and juvenile delinquency committed?

II. Hypothesis/theories

H1: Kids aged 15-16 years get arrested for juvenile delinquency more often than kids from other age group.

T1: A possible theory and explanation for the above hypothesis is that kids at that age are more vulnerable and impressionable and they get influenced easily by movies, peer pressure, and the environment in which they reside. At this stage most of them what to discover and explore what different things and what to acquire knowledge. This is attitude of the kids at that age may make them more inclined to commit juvenile crimes and thus result in them getting more often than kids of the other age groups.

H2: Male kids are booked for juvenile delinquency more than female kids.

T2: One possible theory for this hypothesis can be that male kids have more violent tendencies compared to their female counterparts. Due to this assumption the male are arrested in juvenile delinquencies more than the female.

H3: Kids from black families are more often arrested for juvenile delinquency as compared to their counterparts from white families.

T3: The possible theory of this is that most black families are poor and due to poverty there is always family conflicts and abuse. Due to these conflicts, the child grows having the mentality of violence as his defense mechanism and therefore, becomes aggressive and violent. It is the possibility that with trouble at home children may behave this way and thus black families are more often arrested for juvenile delinquency as compared to their counterparts from white families.

H4: Kids with troubled family environment and divorced parents are more often arrested for juvenile delinquency

T4: The possible theory for the above hypothesis is that the environment in which a child is brought has a high impact on his behavior. Therefore, we note that a child from a hostile family is likely to get involved in fights which will result into a crime. The family is first social environment to the child and it is upon the family to make their child immoral. For instance, there is no way a drunkard father or mother can tell his child that alcohol is bad. The won’t stop it because he cannot see the effect the parent is still using alcohol

H5: Kids arrested for juvenile delinquency are often diagnosed with some sort of mental disorders

T5: The possible explanation for this is that it is possible that children who are suffering from some mental disorder are not able to process their feelings and emotions well. The mentally challenged children are so violent and aggressive. This can often lead to an outburst resulting in child engaging in violent behavior and getting involved with juvenile delinquency. Mostly those who are affected with mental problems are likely to have used drugs or there parents during pregnancy and so grow up as drug addicts.

III. Sampling procedure

The main aim of this research is to explore and determine what kind of demographic and psychographic factors play a key role in the behavior of delinquent kids in the state of Florida. The key data for this research will be collected from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency prevention, Criminal Court of Florida and the relevant agencies involved after we have been granted permission. This research project will be an exploratory and descriptive project in its nature.

For the sample size selection for this paper, we will be going for the random selection method conducted by the computer and that sample data will then be run for data analysis. For the purpose of data analysis, relevant software will be used to ensure the process is run smoothly and effectively. Possible software to be used for the purpose are excel sheet, SPSS and or SAP. We will also approach the law and order authorities for their cooperation in the research and sharing of additional data as well as insights to support our research and analysis on this subject.

The research project will focus on collecting all the data in relation to child delinquency arrests over the last one year plan and questionnaire with the authorities to get their approval. Once that is done the research will move on to the central task of collection of data. The key parameters to focus on during data collection process are; age, gender, racial differences, family environment and the mental health. There will be also random sampling of information from different including those under the age of 13-18.

With this research project we aim to help the law and order department, the NGOs, and the judicial system to look at this from a proactive perspective and identify potential defaulters on this front. This will help in taking action before and to ensure the children are prevented from committing crime. The results of the final report will be published in crime related journals in the country.

IV. Cover letter

Tommy K. Bush Sr.

7200 Lexi Cir

Navarre, Fl. 32566

November 11, 2013,

Florida Department of Juvenile Justice,

32399-3100.

Tallahassee, Florida.

Attn:

RE: RESEARCH PROJECT

Dear Mr. O’Dell,

I am the named person above conducting a research project concerning the kind of demographic and psychographic factors on the type of kids engage in delinquency in the state of Florida. The principal aim of this research is help the law and order department, the Non-governmental organizations and the judicial system to understand the type of kids that become delinquent so as to look at this from a proactive perspective and identify potential defaulters on this front and also find a remedy for that. The copy of approval from the law and order department and also a copy of the questionnaire have been attached for your review and for your support in carrying out this research.

Looking forward for your acceptance and assistance in collecting data. Thank you.

Yours faithful,

Tommy K. Bush Sr. //TKB//

V. Questionnaire

This copy off questionnaire is well developed to acquire the most accurate information concerning the issue of juvenile delinquent and the influence of it. Please take your time and answer the following. I appreciate.

INSTRUCTIONS: Tick the appropriate answer correctly and write where necessary.

1. Gender

A. male B. female

2. Do you think the age of the minor has an impact on delinquency?

A. yes B. No

If yes give the reason…

3. Among the genders which one do you think is more vulnerable to delinquency?

A. male B. Female

Why?

4. Do you agree that the race has an influence on juvenile delinquency?

A. yes B. No

If yes why?

5. Can the family environment lead to juvenile delinquency?

A. yes B.No

6. Children from poor background, are they vulnerable to the delinquency?

A. yes B. No

6. With which of the following do you agree?

A. The mental ability of the child has an effect on the delinquency

B The mental ability of the minor has no effect with minor crime.

VI. Literature review

Upon review of the article entitled juvenile delinquency and justice in contemporary china a critical review of the literature over 15yrs written by Zhang, Lening.crime, law and social change 50.3(October 2008):149-160, it was found that factors that cause delinquency is the individual factors, group factors and institutional factors.

The article is about child delinquency in china where it states that china is largely populated nation with about 360 million juveniles who are under 18 (pg. 34) and is moving towards a market economy since 1970s juvenile delinquency is also increasing. It was found that youth’s crime has been increasing especially in between the ages of 14 to 18 whereby the youths engage in smoking and drinking making them to commit crimes where they find themselves arrested. Juvenile offenses were compared with other countries and were found that the number of minor crimes in china is lower than the number in other countries like us. This shows how the environment has a significant impact on the child’s behavior.

The research was conducted on group factors such as peer group, gender and youth gangs where it was noted that youth friends were commonly arrested and factors like family also had an influence. For instance the family socio-economic factors were negatively associated with child delinquency. Lack of parental guidance and monitoring was also a cause for delinquency in that girls were more monitored than girls that is why the level of male kids being arrested is high than that of girls.

School as a conventional institution has also a great influence on child delinquency through socialization. School as socializing agent may socialize the child negatively leading to misbehaviors and even taking alcohol. Earlier enough there were no juvenile courts but due to increased numbers of minor criminal the Chinese juvenile system was opened so as to cub the increasing situation and the system included , the police, the people’s procurator rate, the juvenile court and corrections (Zhao 34). In conclusion child delinquency should be corrected when the bad behavior is still in its early stage.

Upon review of an article entitled social influence on juvenile delinquency in Kuwait it was found that the way a child is interacted in the family and community has a great influence in his behavior which may or may not lead to minor crimes? For instance in this article it is stated that the family, peer, culture and social psychological factors have an influence on juvenile delinquency. The analysis of the data was guide by three criminological theories which include social control, social learning and social strain theory. They collected information from 633 Kuwait teenagers from age 13-18 years. The sample was collected from arrested minors and what was found was that the most of the children were poor. This justifies the point that the family background of the child influences delinquency. Due to war that was experienced in Kuwait the number of juvenile has been increasing where by in 1982 the number rose 87% and 66% of the offenders were immigrants. The research was conducted between 1981-1997. Their main concern was how socialization affects the child into turning to be a criminal.

VII. Data analysis

From the random sampling that was conducted the following data analysis was arrived to in accordance to each hypothesis of the research. The data that was collected was then interpreted in form of table for easier understanding of what was being collected.

Age distribution table per year

Age	No. of kids arrested	Percentage (%)
9yrs	12	6.25%
10-13yrs	36	18.75
14-18yrs	144	75%
total	192	10%

From the above information it shows the number of kids who are arrested and there we note that those who are 14-18yrs are the dominant. This is because at this interval most of the minors are in adolescent stage and so are in the stage of discovery. Due to this most of them end up committing crimes landing them in juvenile courts.

Distribution of gender

gender	Number of kids arrested	Percentage (%)
male	112	58.33
female	80	41.67
total	192	100%

From the data (to the left) it is noted that male children are the most arrested because a great deal are highly aggressive more so than the female counterparts and also more females are under better guidance than the males as well. Due to lack of proper guidance from the parents they end finding themselves in bad companies.

Distribution of race

race	Number of kids arrested	Percentage (%)
black	110	52.29%
white	82	42.71%
total	192	100%

From the data above the children from Black families are the most arrested due to poverty and many problems from their background/communities. The poverty causes them to enter into criminal activities such as pick pocketing.

Distribution data of mental health and environment

	Average children who get arrested	Mentally challenged who get arrested	total
Poor families	100	132	232
Rich families	56	90	146
total	156	222	378

The above table shows that most of the children who engage in criminal activities are those who are mentally challenged because they do things that their minds cannot conceive; nor do they ponder the consequences they will come to bear as a result of their actions. The poor families also have a large number of children in delinquency because they become street children so as to be able to cater for themselves.

"Based on a sample size of _________, this produces a sampling error of ________% based on a _______% confidence interval" (Babbie, 1989, p.A32). (still working this aspect)

VIII. Research findings/conclusion

From the data collected from different agencies which may include, Florida Department of Juvenile justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Department of Prevention, and Criminal courts of Florida’ it was found that juvenile delinquency has been increasing as the time goes by. Although people are aware of the minor criminals, communities ignore the facts associated with these future criminals. They are awakened when the child has already grown into adulthood and is now adjudicated as an adult when and in reality the behavior was there when he or she was still a child. It has been found that the male children are the most arrested than the girls because of lack of supervision. Most families give much protection to girls leaving boys to guide themselves and in turn make wrong decision about their lives and end up in bad gangs and are influenced by their peers.

The environment in which the children are reared has an enormous influence in his behavior. Children from poor families have been found in large number because, due to lack of basic needs they end up in the streets just to find means of survival and as a result end up as thieves and small time criminals. Some children are brought up in hostile families where vulgar language is used and when he socializes with others he ends up engaging in fights thinking it is the way to resolve problems.

From the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice it was found that children between the age of 14-18 years are the most likely of children groups who get themselves detained, due to the fact during this age period most of them are in there adolescence stage and therefore are eager to explore what happens in their environment around them. It was found that this is the time most 14-18 years are making friends and also copying the behaviors of fellow teenagers for which they are trying to impress and this places them mostly in bad groups. During the adolescent stage most parents are not keen in what is going on in their children’s life and are left on their own and as a result they end up misbehaving.

In conclusion we note that child delinquency is caused depending on the environment in which an individual is brought in. To prevent this proper guidance is needed for children and also their needs should be met.

IX. Problems encountered

During the performing of this research various problems were encountered and they include:

Lack of time to fully explore the research as was expected, during the research, time was extremely inadequate and therefore the completion of the questionnaire was not fully fulfilled. The interview to numerous different members for data collection was not fully satisfied due to time inadequacy.

Lack of cooperation from the intended persons, during the collection of figures from some people was uncooperative and some did not reply to the questionnaire as it was a required data sheet. Some persons especially the parents were extremely hostile and were not willing and sometimes were not able due to literally factors that prohibited the answering of the questionnaire.

Lack of funds to perform the research, the research required a lot of funds especially for travelling purpose to the intended areas such as visiting the Florida department of law and justice.

Long distance during the research distance and travel became tiresome and also expensive and therefore hindered the performance of the experiment and led to the use of phones for research. The information collected on the phone was brief and limited due to high caller hang ups and time constrains.

X. Reference list

References

Alsaleh, A. A. (2002). Social influence on juvenile delinquency in Kuwait. (Order no, 3063638, Mississippi state university). ProQuest Dissertation Theses, 142

Babbie, E. (1989) The Practice of Social Research: Appendix G. P. 32 and pp. 165-191

Craig S. Schwalbe, Tina Maschi. Law and Human Behavior, vol.31, No.5 (Oct, 2007), pp.449-462

Hoyt, s, & Scherer, D.G. (1998). Female juvenile delinquency: Misunderstood by the juvenile justice system, neglected by social science. Law and human Behavior, 22(1), 81-107.

Loeber, R., & Stouthamer-Loeber, M. (1998). Development of juvenile aggression and violence: some common misconceptions and controversies. American Psychologist, 53(2), 242.

Stephen A. Cernkovich, Peggy C, Giordano. The Sociological Quarterly, vol.20, no.1 (winter, 1979), pp.131-145

Zhang, L. (2008). Juvenile delinquency and justice in contemporary china: A critical review of the literature over 15 years. Crime, law and social change, 50(3). 149-160.