Kids Matter! - 2008

STRONG FAMILIES & NEIGHBORHOODS

Juvenile Court

Juvenile delinquency is an antisocial behavior or criminal act exhibited by young people who are not of legal age. There are many different theories, assumptions, and opinions on this subject - too many to discuss in considerable detail.

There appear to be many causal factors for this problem. Some point to the need to be accepted and valued by one's peers - in this case peers who pose a negative influence. Some youth engage in these negative behaviors to rebel against society. We cannot overlook possible mental health reasons that may cause a predisposition, to lead one to, engage in these acts.

Family dynamics also play a critical role. Some youth lack positive role models, either at home or in their neighborhood, and do not have someone to help them appropriately navigate through the social and developmental influences and maintain a positive path as they mature. Violence within the family is also a contributing factor that causes some youth to associate violence as the normal method of expressing themselves and achieving desired results. Youth who grow up in nurturing, positive families tend to be more able to comfortably conform to society.

Neighborhood and community environment are also contributing factors. Youth who are constantly exposed to violent, antisocial, and other negative influences or behavior patterns where they live begin to assimilate and become more immune to the negative effects. Being inundated with violence and sex in music, television, and movies further serves to exacerbate the problem, making it even harder for very impressionable youth to determine where the line is drawn between what's considered appropriate and humane behavior.

This only presents a few of the many causal factors associated with juvenile delinquency. Regardless of all the causal factors, our community is seeing younger aged offenders, as well as youth engaging in more serious offenses. It will take a variety of preventive and intervention approaches, as well as a collective will, to begin to grasp this problem.

Referrals for Delinquent* Activity

* Delinquency is an act that is designated a crime by state or federal laws, or by local ordinances and certain traffic offenses

**Unique refers to unduplicated youth served

Delinquent referrals constituted 63% of all referrals made to Chatham County Juvenile Court in 2008. The remaining 37% of the referrals were inthe areas of: unruly behavior, traffic violations, deprivation, termination of parental rights (TPR), and special proceedings.