Family Background and the Development of Delinquent Behaviour among Adolescents

Abstract

Family Background and the Development of Delinquent Behaviour among Adolescents 'Wanderers, beggars, truants' and the like are referred to as those who are in need of care and protection (Muncie, 2000). From the above, one can distinguish delinquency from crime in two major ways. Firstly, delinquency is a more inclusive term than crime, which means that it includes in addition to law violation, some other acts or behaviours like 'beyond parental control', 'wandering, truancy, begging', being exposed to 'moral danger', being exposed to the 'risk or slavery' and the like. These behaviours and/or acts are essentially not criminal. Secondly, delinquency is different from crime in that the people involved are immature that is, delinquents unlike criminals, are immature, they are 16 years old or less (Adebowale & Anifowose, 2017). Manifestation of delinquent behaviours is one of the major problems associated with adolescents in secondary schools today (Ugwu& Stanley, 2017). The pervading incidence of delinquency among adolescent is alarming and calls for serious consideration especially as juvenile delinquency has been rated a global issue (Carter &