Theories Around Onset Offending and Potential Distraction Techniques and Programmes
Theories Around Onset Offending and Potential Distraction Techniques and Programmes and The Effects, Impact of Youth Gang Culture in Those Suffering from Harm or Risk
Theories Around Onset Offending and Potential Distraction Techniques and Programmes
There has been a lot of research surrounding the growth curve of crime rate against children’s age (Loeber R., Farrington D.P, 2014). The older children get, the more susceptible they are to engaging in criminal activities (Loeber R., Farrington D.P, 2014). Research has revealed that the crime rate in earl childhood is low but in drastically increases in during adolescents, which is between the age of 15 to 19 years old but decreases in the early 2os (Loeber R., Farrington D.P, 2014). Consequently, the teenage years are when a lot of children join gangs and begin their criminal lifestyle (Loeber R., Farrington D.P, 2014).
Onset offending refers to the age where one commits their first crime (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). Reports have indicated that the commission of the first crime is 3-5 years sooner than the drafted criminal records (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). Various considerations put in place when classifying on-sent offenders (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). There is a difference between life-path criminals who begin to indulge in criminal activities and are consistent for long periods are contrasting to teenage-limited criminals. They begin later and perform illegal activities for a short period (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). Reports indicate that adults who are onset offenders tend to be reserved and were not very social when they were children (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). Research revealed that younger teenagers who begin a criminal lifestyle tend to have a long criminal career (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014).
There are various reasons for the early onset of criminal activity. A few established reasons include;
- Impulsivity
- Impulsivity
This means that most offenders, particularly the younger ones, tend not to think through their decision, thus acting without thinking through the consequences (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). This kind of non-evaluation lifestyle tends to result in many children joining gangs without thinking through the decision they have made (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014).
- Lack of knowledge
Children are very susceptible to manipulation by adults, which causes them to partake in activities that they are not fully aware of the consequences (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). Teenagers get influenced by the false portrayal of the gangster lifestyles that have been displayed on social media to be appealing, yet that is not the reality (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). This lack of information on the fact that a criminal lifestyle results in children being persuaded by adults to join gangs (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). Thus, guardians should inform children of the consequence of crime. Parents should also investigate the kind of content that their children get exposed to on the television, the music they listen to, and social media. A means of reducing the consequences would be by introducing activities that would benefit the child more, such as camping, sports, amongst others.
- Poverty
Many people indulge in criminal activities because they cannot afford even the basics of life, such as food, shelter, and clothing (Howell J, 2010). There are cases where people perform crimes such as theft, selling drugs to provide for their families.
- Low child-rearing standards
Children’s behavior tends to reflect a lot on the environment at home. Most children that come from abusive homes tend to get involved in a lot of criminal activities (Kubik J, Docherty M, Boxer P, 2019). They draw the form relationship that they have with the world with the relationship that they have with their parents. Therefore, if all a child has seen is violence growing up, they will most likely indulge in violent behavior.
- Peer pressure
Children are influenced by those who are of their age group. Reports have indicated that adult supervision plays a vital role in limiting peer pressure (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). The more an adult supervises a child, the less likely they will be influenced by doing a criminal activity (Shute J, 2008). Children who are left home alone have a lower will less likely to experience peer pressure than those who are always a friend’s house, and those who move around freely. A parent should be aware of the child’s location at all timed to limit the chances of them getting influenced into indulging in criminal activity (Shute J, 2008). Steiner established that a child that is in an authoritative home would less likely have challenges respecting authority. This behavior is because such a child understands that action can lead to a consequence causing them to more careful about their decision. Nevertheless, the form of the disciple should be from a place of love rather than anger because when the punishment is too severe, the child’s rebelliousness increases.
There is a secure link between delinquency and adult supervision, which includes monitoring and disciplining the child (Shute J, 2008). The supervision should also be consistent because it only takes a short time for a child to begin their criminal lifestyle (Shute J, 2008). Parents should also investigate the kind of children that their child surrounds themselves with (Shute J, 2008). One cannot expect that their non-criminal indulging child, moving around with children in gangs, will not eventually join a gang (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). It is also crucial for parents to instill specific skills that will assist them in life, reducing the chances of beginning a criminal lifestyle (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014). A few examples of these skills include; problem-solving and conflict negotiation (Theobald D., Farrington D.P, 2014).
- Boredom
Many people who are not busy in the day begin to allow for other activities (Corrigan, P, 1979). Children will become even more susceptible to doing crime in the absence of something to pass their time. Thus, it further leads them to the theory that offense can be fun (Anderson T et al., 1994). Crime becomes something leisure activity due to the rush and excitement that it brings with it.
The Effect of Youth Gang Culture on those suffering from Harm or Risk
Girls are involved in gang-related activities are more susceptible to sexual abuse than boys (Children Affected by Gang Activity and Youth Violence, n.d). There are reports of teenage girls getting raped by their male gang counterparts. Research has revealed that the action is so severe that gang leaders instruct their gang members to rape their girlfriends (Children Affected by Gang Activity and Youth Violence, n.d). A Director of the Bedfordshire University known as Professor Pearce revealed that sexual abuse against girls is a means of punishment for girls involved in gang activity (“Girls and Gangs,” n.d). There are reports that gangs conduct their initiation of new members through raping girls (“Girls and Gangs,” n.d). This activity exposes nearby girls to sexual exploitation, which is very damaging (“Girls and Gangs,” n.d). Investigations have revealed that there is internal gang rape where gang members suspect a form of betrayal from a female member (“Girls and Gangs,” n.d).
Youth members that have mental issues tend to join gangs and begin their criminal lifestyle (“The mental health needs of gang affiliated young people,” 2015). Reports have indicated that gangs offer comfort to children who have been isolated, lack proper family support, and cannot build strong social relationships with their peers (“The mental health needs of gang-affiliated young people,” 2015). Gangs use the mental state of these children as a means of drawing them into the gang by giving them a “home” to which they lack (“The mental health needs of gang affiliated young people,” 2015). This experience, in turn, makes the children have a false sense of belonging and loyalty to the gangs. Children who suffer a lot from fear and anxiety will get harmed, especially those who live in neighborhoods with a lot of gang activity (“The mental health needs of gang-affiliated young people,” 2015). This kind of fear causes them to seek protection from a gang, and in most cases, such children don’t leave the gang (“The mental health needs of gang affiliated young people,” 2015). Mental issues associated with impulsiveness, emotional rush-seeking, and externalized behaviorism are usually an indication of conditions such as hyperactive disorders and attention deficits (“The mental health needs of gang-affiliated young people,” 2015). These children tend to join gangs a lot in the absence of medical diagnosis and parental supervision (“The mental health needs of gang affiliated young people,” 2015). Children with low self-esteem are also drawn into gangs a lot to boost their self-esteem (“The mental health needs of gang-affiliated young people,” 2015).
Youth that joins gangs expose themselves to violence and death but their family members (O’Brien K, Daffern M, Mengchu C, 2013). Gangs that once someone joins, they cannot leave, and they use the family members as leverage (O’Brien K, Daffern M, Mengchu C, 2013). This action causes members to be bound to the gang for the rest of their lives. Gangs within a community increase the mortality rate within that area (O’Brien K, Daffern M, Mengchu C, 2013).
Another effect of youth joining gangs is that they destroy their future. For some children, joining a gang is a phase, but the consequences would have dire effects on their future. For example, due to a crime, child conviction goes on their criminal record, which would affect their employment. A child will spend most of their time performing gang-related tasks rather than going to school, thus leading to dropouts, which would negatively impact their future.
References
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Theobald D, Farrington D.P (2014) Onset of Offending. Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5690-2_86
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Corrigan, Paul (1979). Schooling the Smash Street Kids. London: Macmillan P. Retrieved from https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1203715
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Howell, J. (2010). Gang Prevention: An Overview of Research and Programmes. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/231116.pdf
“Children Affected by Gang Activity and Youth Violence,” (n,d). Cornwell & Isles of Scilly Retrieved from https://www.proceduresonline.com/swcpp/cornwall_scilly/p_ch_affected_gang_act.html
“The mental health needs of gang affiliated young people” (2015). Centre for Public Health Liverpool: Liverpool John Moores University Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/771130/The_mental_health_needs_of_gang-affiliated_young_people_v3_23_01_1.pdf
“Girls and Gangs,” (n.d). The Center for Social Justice. Retrieved from https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/core/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Girls-and-Gangs-FINAL-VERSION.pdf
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O’Brien K, Daffern M, Mengchu C. (2013). Youth gang affiliation, violence, and criminal activities: A review of motivational, risk, and protective factors, volume 18, issue 4, pages 417-425. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359178913000281
Shute, J. (2008). Parenting and Gangs: Risk, Resilience, and Effective Support. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251718840_Parenting_and_Gangs_Risk_Resilience_and_Effective_Support