How Schools Fight The Development Of Juvenile Delinquency
Meta-description: fighting juvenile delinquency is what schools can actively do. Here are some effective ways you can do it.
Juvenile delinquency is growing and growing across the world, as the world is changing. Access to information may be one of the main factors that contribute to this. Even though the internet and the online world have many benefits for students and kids, they have downsides too. And one of the downsides is that the opinion of others can be manipulated by these algorithms, by social media, and by the articles, news, and information we find and read online.
Not everything we see online is true and valid. And for those who do not have strong critical thinking and analysis skills, it may be even harder to make the difference between what is true and what is not.
The Cambridge Analytica scandal with the manipulation of public opinion might be one of the most relevant examples when it comes to the online world and people’s beliefs. As a teenager, you are discovering the world and starting to make sense of your emotions.
However, you may not know how to express them in a healthy way and this may lead to juvenile delinquency. So, how can schools fight the development of juvenile delinquency? What are the actions they should take towards lowering this development in kids and teenagers?
Identifying Risk Factors
The benefits of preventing and fighting the development of juvenile delinquency cannot be stressed enough. Besides making the school environment safer and more inclusive, it also makes communities more secure.
Apart from this, it makes the lives of kids and their families better, as their well-being will be considerably improved. But to actively fight this, you first need to identify the risk factors that contribute to this development.
Getting an education is a right and it should happen in an inclusive and safe environment. However, as juvenile delinquency is on the rise, every teacher and university should fight to prevent its development on campus. Students can become more aware of this by being encouraged to read a book, take part in a course on this topic, learn a lesson, or participate in a class. Or, by encouraging them to write a paper on this topic.
There are many essays on crime and violence they can access so that they can get some inspiration for their own. A sample of essay, or more broadly put, examples of essays can be of tremendous help in their research. So here you can get more inspiration for essay topics.
Apart from this, if schools know the history of children, especially if they have been abused, they can identify the ones who might be at risk of becoming juvenile delinquents. At the same time, teachers should look for signs of antisocial behavior or hyperactivity. And proper training for teachers and school staff should be provided.
The family dynamics are crucial too. The environment the children grow up in has an essential effect, but the area they live in too. Juvenile delinquency is often an effect of the group of friends kids have, so knowing who they hang out with can help schools prevent its development.
Family Interventions
As mentioned above, one of the main risk factors that foster the development of juvenile delinquency is the familial environment. The dynamics that exist in every family are crucial for the development of every child.
If there are siblings who are already delinquents, or if parents do not spend time with children and are mostly away, there is a high risk of becoming a delinquent. So, schools and teachers can encourage parents to spend more time with their kids. But also, to take part in training and courses that help them take better care of themselves.
At the same time, you can encourage kids to talk with their parents. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent the development of juvenile delinquency. And if the school organizes activities where both kids and parents are involved, this makes the strong between them become stronger. There might be cases when kids do not have supportive parents, so other family members could be involved.
Safe School Environment
Last but not least, the school environment is crucial for the development of the kids and the prevention of delinquency. It is essential to create a safe and inclusive environment where children feel safe and accepted, in spite of their differences.
This means preventing bullying and even having a policy children are aware of. They should learn what bullying is, what are its consequences, and how to recognize it. At the same time, they should have the opportunity to take part in community activities and become more and more involved. This way, they will understand how it works and it is less likely to become delinquents.
Final Thoughts
Preventing the development of juvenile delinquency should be on the list of every school. The school environment is where children develop tremendously, but it could be the one that triggers their delinquency too. Schools must create a safe, secure, and inclusive environment for children.
They should act on preventing bullying, but also on creating the opportunity for kids and parents to spend time together. And, of course, for children to get involved in community activities. Family interventions are effective too, but the first thing school should do is to identify the risk factors.
