Juvenile Delinquency

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency is considered as the act of engaging in any illegal behavior by a person under the legal age of majority. Individual characteristics, family, school, peer groups and society play a crucial role in the adoption of delinquent behavior by a minor. Some protective factors that limit criminal behavior of children and adolescents are the ability of the minor to both self-regulate their emotions and comprehend the consequences of their acts, a supportive family, an efficient parental supervision, commitment in school, and the development of friendships focused on values such as solidarity or empathy. Society plays a crucial role in the moulding of a minor's behavior. The policies/measures that can be taken have to be compatible with a number of dispositions on both national and international level. The proposed chapter seeks to both present the risk factors of juvenile delinquency and suggest techniques for the prevention and repression of criminality in minors.