Children In India In India 15% of children experience serious emotional disturbances [World Health Report 2001]. The facilities for healing being woefully inadequate majority of the children are never identified and even if they are rarely do they reach a therapeutic facility as sensitive structures both informal and formal rarely exist. Delinquent behaviors in children are largely attributed to faulty upbringing, consequence of family stature and a function of caste denominators. Scientific reasons and socio-psychological reasons are largely ignored or trivialized. What Are The Various Reasons Why Kids turn into juvenile delinquents? The shifts and influences in the understanding of delinquent behavior in the last couple of decades are: Bad or Sad? Children who were termed bad and marginalized due to maladaptive behaviors are diagnosed to be sad or suffering from certain disorders. For e.g.: stealing which was generally attributed to faulty values or labeled as a sin is now seen as behavior which could arise out of sadness, social situations distress or due to a personality variable. With appropriate counseling this can be corrected to a large extent. Nature vs. Nurture Are criminals born or made is the question that worries researchers. The answer today is that both the factors are important. Antisocial personalities are visible in spite of excellent parenting. In rare cases, though social factors largely determine pro social and antisocial behavior. Money as a determinant Money is power—is a dominant philosophy among a sizeable section of children too, and determines behavior. Access to unlimited available liquid cash or lack of the same has been found to be important determinants of different behaviors. Meaninglessness & the rise of small ideologies Meaninglessness due to the rapid pace and emotional exhaustion has also resulted in the acceleration of the crime rate amongst the young and the hitherto known to be innocent. Aggression turned outward results in crime, and that turned inward causes suicide and when in suspended animation causes depression and addiction. Collapse of institutions and might is right The rich get bail and the poor go to jail is the oft-repeated remark by adolescents and might alone will succeed is a concept gaining ground. Lack of faith in the mechanism of redressal and resolution of conflicts through muscle and money are philosophies and street jargons believed and assimilated. High-risk Kids Improved understanding of the brain and the mind has helped identification of high-risk children. Those who have had a death of parent/ experienced childhood trauma, have family history of mental health problems, addiction or antisocial personality traits have a higher risk of delinquent behavior. Those who have epilepsy minimum brain damage, Attention deficit problems and lack of impulse control also have a higher propensity for juvenile delinquency. So What Is The Role Of Law Enforcing Agencies? Watch This space next week… Did you find this column useful? Write a review or send in your. Click here Other Articles By Dr. Harish Shetty …These Are The Seven Husbands Wives Hate! Dancing Is Good For Health If My Niece Chooses To Marry A Mentally Ill Person! Smile More, Live Longer! …Valentine’s Day Is About Connecting, Not Gifts |