CAUSES LEADING TO JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

Juvenile Delinquency is unlawful act committed by the individual below the age of 18 years. The study was aimed to find out the causes of juvenile delinquency in Punjab, Pakistan. The study was also aimed to find out the demographic and socioeconomic information of the respondents as well as to investigate the possible risk factors of delinquency. The nature of the study was qualitative and case study method was applied. The population of the study was juvenile delinquents from prisons of the Punjab, Pakistan. The multistage sampling technique was used for the selection of Districts, Jails & respondents. The tool for data collection was interview guide and sample size was comprised of eight in-depth case studies. It is concluded that there are several socioeconomic causes leading to juvenile delinquency. The respondents claimed that family dysfunctions including restrictive behavior, parental negligence, improper supervision, and parental unlawful behavior are linked with juvenile delinquency. Some respondents reported that the motivation by peers and friends for indulgence in deviancy and peer rejection also become the leading causes of delinquency. The study also concluded that deteriorated neighborhood, direct exposure to violence and fighting movies on media also considered as the risk factors toward delinquency among juveniles. Moreover, the poverty, illiteracy, poor educational performance at school and lack of moral education may turn juvenilesinto delinquents.