A number of reasons contribute to young people engaging in criminal activities

Juvenile Crime

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nReasons why youth engage in Crime

nA number of reasons contribute to young people engaging in criminal activities. In addition, three main causes facilitate constant pressure to participate in criminal behaviors. These include peer pressure, need for money and food as well as domestic violence. Peer pressure increases the commitment to fit in criminal activities among the young people. Additionally, majority of young people engage in crime because they lack support they need to avoid the peer pressure to participate in gangs activity (Krohn, 2009, p.12). Most notably, teens face peer pressure in form of harassment, intimidation, coercion, friendly persuasion, a dare or repetitious begging. Due to widespread poverty, teenagers engage in crime as a means of survival.

nMany youths lack basic essentials such as shelter, clothing and food. Members of the gang use the criminal activity to solicit money for the sale of drugs or auto theft (Arrington, 2007, p.29). Domestic problems make the young people to feel that they do not get sufficient attention or support at home. Therefore, they participate in crime because they do not want to be part of home life or looking for father figure. In this respect, gangs usually provide unconditional support and turn to be a family they never had (Krohn, 2009, p.18). Other lesser factors that lead to gang engagement among the peers include desire for protection, excitement and desire to appear cool. For instance, young people join crime since they are vulnerable to community victimization and intimidation.

nBesides, they rush to defying authority, or committing crimes (Arrington, 2007, p.66). Many are enticed to the lifestyles of the gangs as they live above the law and involve in several illicit behaviors. Furthermore, gangs members have developed an art of manipulation in order to entice potential members. They put on modern fashions, drive the latest cars and participate in expensive parties (Krohn, 2009, p.32). Therefore, they seem to be living in a perfect lifestyle that is desirable by many youths looking to fit in somewhere. The entertainment and media industry offer an image of cool that attract many youths to join in crime.

nAccording to National Youth Gang Center in 2008, 50 percent of all gang members are Hispanics, 32 percent are African American while 11 percent are Caucasians (Krohn, 2009, p.56). In addition, in terms of gender more than 11 percent for males participated in gang crime relative to 6 percent of females in 1997. In most cities, 8.8 percent for boys and 7.8 percent for girls are current gang members. Most young people (67 percent) engage in crime between the age 14 and 17 years.

nStrategies established by Prosecutors and Legislature to curb Juvenile Crime

nThe prosecutors and legislatures have established prevention strategies in attempt to control youth engagement in crime and interrupt gang formation. These strategies include improving conditions for youths, societal organizations, early childhood programs, afterschool and local clubs programs and school-based programs. The balance between prevention, suppression and intervention strategies helps to promote success in the community (Krohn, 2009, p.29). Various programs such as Albuquerques Youth program offers different services for youth at risk of youth crime.

nIt helps to prevent initial involvement in gangs among younger teenagers and provide nonviolent and constructive activities for current gang members. They are involved in training over nonviolent conflict resolution, community services, and legal assistance. They also get employment and receive counseling with members of the family. They also conduct inner-city games that give an alternative to gang life. They participate in educational, athletic, cultural and society enrichment program (Arrington, 2007, p.78). This helps to build self-esteem and confidence. Besides, they assist them to say ‘no to gang membership, drugs and violence. Many schools act as a hub to proliferations of gangs. Many streets gang members are students. In this respect, in-school enrichment programs makes the live in school more enjoyable and helps to reduce gang engagement.

nFurthermore, Boys and Girls Clubs of America manage afterschool activities such as Gang Prevention through Targeted Outreach (Krohn, 2009, p.49). This strategy incorporates recruitment, society mobilization, mainstreaming and case management. These programs discuss strategies to prevent gangs and provide teenagers options to the lifestyle of the gangs.

nExtremist Militia groups involved in Juvenile Crime

nThe number of extremist militia groups increased in the country before 1995. However, the number reduced to after this period. They participated in criminal activity, which remained constant in different cities. Many militia groups such as Y2K was arrested and charged, for instance Florida militia leader Donald Beauregard was arrested and charged with criminal activity. Other militia groups including Kentucky State Militia headed by Charlie Puckett were under arrest (Krohn, 2009, p.22). The militia attracts youth because of the paramilitary trainings and desire to protection for instance, protection from other gangs as well as perceived well-being between members.

nIn addition, the underclass status of the minority youths provides an opportunity to attract them into militia groups (Arrington, 2007, p.90). Therefore, the militia provides an opportunity to engage in criminal activity. Many minority youths feels alienation and thus join the militia groups for solving social adjustment problems especially the tribulations and trials of adolescence.

nHackers and Crackers of Computer programs

nHackers and crackers exploit the weakness of a computer program or network in order to profits, enjoyment and money. Many hackers now live in the subculture referred to as computer underground. Many institutions such as banks, airlines and telecommunication companies have suffered from hacking (Krohn, 2009, p.45). Young people below 18 years of age carry out such hacking. The teenager hackers interrupt the websites of insurance and telecommunication firms, banks and airlines including the online payment systems. Moreover, they cause malicious damage operating conspiring with an organized gang. The hackers and crackers cases involving businesses have increased in recent times in various countries including Norway, United States and Canada (Arrington, 2007, p.55). For instance in Norway, one for every 16 cases involved computer hacking in both private and public institutions involve young teenagers. In addition, these incidents involve teenager hackers and crackers.

nIn the modern world many businesses relies on computers and telecommunication to carry out their daily businesses. Hacking is a criminal activity that has increased over the recent past. Hacking is a criminal activity that needs special types of skills, familiarity with networks and computers and advanced technological knowledge. The attacks are deliberate and the individual plan the attack in details (Krohn, 2009, p.58). Many hackers appear to concentrate on fulfilling their own material needs in spite of the consequences. Many teenagers would like to be associated with people with advanced technologies hence they are easily engaged in crime (Arrington, 2007, p.47). Young people who have been arrested several times engaging in hacking continue to engage in the same activity after they are released.

nMost hackers appear to have a strong desire for association and need for peers. Therefore, they engage with others who are participating in the same activity. This offers a platform of sharing ideas, intelligence information and techniques (Krohn, 2009, p.89). Hacking behavior is reinforced by prestige in hacking and increase in knowledge or successful completion of a puzzle. Besides, some form of media has turned some hackers into celebrities hence many young people would like to be associated with them. Other hackers have secured good jobs in network security companies, which encourage teenagers to participate in hacking (Krohn, 2009, p.88). For instance, an Israeli youth charged with hacking US Military websites secured a lucrative contract with European Computer Company. In addition, he received enormous praise from the Israeli Prime Minister for his ingenuity.

nFocus on Program Assignment

nIn California, approximately one out of eight children annually is involved in juvenile justice system. Most children enter the system as homeless, school referrals, teens charged with crimes or runaway teens (Krohn, 2009, p.10-19). Due to tremendous budget cuts, the statutory goal for rehabilitative system faces many limitations. The juvenile delinquencies case in California have recorded significant decline over the last 15 years (Arrington, 2007, p.87). However, youth crime rate, gang violence remains a significant public concern. Gang formation and violence limits the wellbeing and safety of neighbors and communities hence exposing Americans to risky life.

nIn this regard, California Policy Board has initiated legislative measures designed to curb the persistent problem in the state. For instance, it has established the Youth Mental Health program (Krohn, 2009, p.82-3). Indeed, California has recorded high prevalence of mental health disorders among the juvenile delinquents in the juvenile justice system. Other agencies do not meet the needs of young people hence juvenile justice system acts as a warehouse for these teenagers (Arrington, 2007, p.76). In addition, the Policy Board, continues to pursue evidence-based and policy changes that promote access of mental health to children.

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nReferences

nArrington, R. (2007). Crime prevention. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

nKrohn, M. (2009). Handbook on Crime and Deviance. Dordrecht: Springer.

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