The Juvenile Delinquency Statistics
Introduction
One of the acute problems today is the delinquency of minors and young people. In recent years, crimes committed by juveniles can easily be singled out from high-profile criminal cases. This becomes an even more critical issue for the entire society if considered that the commission of offenses at a young age has a negative impact on the entire subsequent life of a young person and often leads to repeated crimes. Successful deterrence of delinquency among juveniles necessitates a thorough comprehension of the statistics as well as an examination of the factors that contribute to such indicators.
Reasons for the Decrease in Delinquency Cases that Involved Juveniles in 2019
The statistics of delinquency cases are constantly changing and is due to many factors. The number of juvenile arrests has dropped by 73% from its peak in 1996 (Puzzanchera, 2020). In 2019, there were 722,600 of them, which is 2% less than in 2018 (Puzzanchera, 2020). Gradual economic growth and a slight reduction in the problem of poverty is one of the reasons. In 2019, for the first time since 2015, there was a decrease in the poverty level, which could lead to an improvement in the economic situation of young people and reduce their economic motives for committing crimes. (U.S. Poverty Rate 1974-2023, 2023). The strengthening of the movement for females’ and LGBT people’s rights, as well as the fight against racism, have also contributed, which has led to a gradual improvement in equal rights and a decrease in mental pressure on young people. In addition, the active efforts of various non-commercial organizations to ensure the harmonious development of adolescents contribute to reducing the level of juvenile crime.
Media Allegations Regarding Violent Crimes Committed by White and Black Youth
Media projects that Black youth commit the most violent crimes, while 2019 official statistics show that White youth are the leading juvenile offenders who commit violent crimes. In 2019, 44% of delinquent cases were handled by White youth, while only 35% were by Black youth (Hockenberry, 2020). Media attention to crimes committed by black teenagers may be due to racism and a significant level of prejudice and stereotyping among journalists. Furthermore, black adolescents (64%) were more likely than white (52%) or hispanic (55%) youth to be petitioned for formal processing (Hockenberry, 2020). The media may take this to mean the more serious crimes that black youth will commit, when in fact this is not the case.
Factors Influencing Females to Get More Involved in Juvenile Crime
The expanding number of young females engaged in the juvenile justice system emphasizes the need of researching this population. According to data, females have a lower rate of decline in the number of crimes than males (Hockenberry, 2020). Abuse, poverty, mental health issues, and physical or sexual abuse can all be precipitating factors. In addition, inequality in the economic status of females compared to men contributes to this problem. Teenage motherhood is also associated with delinquency among young females. All these factors can lead to complications in the harmonious development of a teenager, respect, and development of their personality and can lead to an increase in the risk of committing crimes by minor females.
Conclusion
Deterring juvenile delinquency requires a detailed understanding of the statistics as well as an assessment of the elements that lead to such indicators. Difficult economic conditions and unequal rights, racism, and lack of attention to youth development can lead to negative consequences in the field of juvenile delinquency. Young individuals can acquire non-criminogenic attitudes by participating in lawful, socially beneficial activities and developing a humanistic perspective on society and life.
References
Hockenberry, S. (2020). Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Court, 2018. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. U. S. Department of Justice. Web.
Puzzanchera, C. (2020). Juvenile Arrests, 2018. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. U. S. Department of Justice. Web.
U.S. Poverty Rate 1974-2023. (2023). Macrotrends. Web.