Family violence contributes to juvenile delinquency
Family violence contributes to juvenile delinquency. “Violence in the home is a factor that contributes to delinquency. Children have a tendency to strike out at others when they witness fighting and hostility in the home. It is assumed that parents can take measures to reduce family violence in the home and assist the youth to deal with their feelings without the use of violence. Children should not be allowed to live in fear because of violent behavior that occurs between their parents or siblings”.
There is often a huge relationship between social problems associated with violence in a family and juvenile delinquency. Notably, the relationship sometimes is casual but growing evidence shows that children involved in child abuse are vulnerable to juvenile delinquency. In the contemporary society, violence has become a day to day phenomenon and parents hardly take time to measure the effect it has on their children. However, there is always a factor that provokes a child to engage in crime and gravitate towards that kind of a lifestyle. A family is a structure that is meant to nature a child and instills a sense of security so that they can grow to realize their full potential. A family that is functioning properly should be violence free and establish open communication so as to understand and meet the needs of the members.
Family violence contributes to juvenile delinquency
The effects of violence on children are associated with juvenile delinquency. Research indicates that fifty percent of men who abuse their wives are frequently violent towards their children (Health and Social Services Authority, 2018). Moreover, chances of child abuse are fifteen times higher in families where domestic violence is a norm. Research also shows that most men who are violent to their wives witness the act in their home while they were children (Health and Social Services Authority, 2018). Some of the effects that children display once they are exposed to violence include emotional distress, low self-esteem, and aggression against other children, family members of property. Therefore, the gravity of these effects shows that a child will likely become aggressive and end up committing a crime. A comparison between non-delinquent and delinquent youth who have had a history of being exposed to family violence indicates that juvenile delinquency has a high relation to child abuse and violence (Health and Social Services Authority, 2018). Therefore, one way to deter crime among the youth is to ensure parents provide a conducive environment at home.
When a child is exposed to damaging and traumatic situations he or she experiences psychological and biological changes. Study shows that children who have been physically abused by their parents or their caregivers are more likely to suffer behavioral maladjustments including externalizing behaviors compared to children who have not experienced physical abuse (Yoon, et al., 2016 p73). In such homes, children are often encouraged to fight back in school to avoid being bullied which promotes aggressive behavior. Additionally, when children see their parents strike each other, the get the notion that that is the right way to solve a conflict. PTS symptoms are consequences of violence exposure often witnessed in children. Such children tend to experiment the traumatic event and end up being involved in juvenile delinquency (Yoon et al., 2016). PST symptoms interfere with a child’s ability to cope with stress and they, therefore, become detached and engage in crime or drug abuse.
It is clear that violence begets violence and parents should refrain from it to enable their children to thrive. There are various ways in which violence can be encouraged at home including supplying children them with gun toys and encouraging violence while competing in a sport. Additionally, when parents engage in a fight or abuse their children, the event is normally traumatizing and affects their behavior in a negative way. Therefore, parents should ensure to expose their children to positive behavior which promotes their self-esteem. Moreover, they should seek non-violent methods of solving disputes.