Traditional patterns that guide the interaction and transition of people from one age group to another are consistently under attack. As the traditional socialization processes collapse, the lifestyles of the modern youths are increasingly varies and unpredictable. The local communities no longer have the authority they had, families are disintegrating, and more people live in poor urban neighborhoods. Young people face these challenges in a society where the maturity gap is extending and poverty is very rampant. Young people in this modern society are subject to individual risks and opportunities. The opportunities are either beneficial or harmful. More youths are taking advantage of illegal activities, such as individual drug use, selling the drugs, robbery, burglary, theft, and damaging of property.
Deviance: Juvenile Crime
Statistics indicate the rate of rime among the youth is on the rise in the last two decades. The rate of crime has increased by more than 50% in the last two decades. Young people at risk of engaging in criminal activities live in difficult and often complicated circumstances. Children with parents engaging in alcoholism, family breakups, and violent behavior are more at risk of engaging in deviant behavior, such as violent crime. The intensity of juvenile engagement in criminal activities is determined by the socioeconomic and cultural conditions of the society they live in. the universal evidence of juvenile engagement in criminal activities is occurring concurrent with the decline in the socioeconomic status of the societies they live (Juvenile Crime Laws 13).
At a young age, the youth encounter violence in the neighborhoods they live as either victims or witnesses. The educational attainment of individuals engaged in these activities is low and the socioeconomic status is characterized by poverty and unemployment. The negative aspects of socioeconomic development drive the engagement of youth in delinquent behaviors, such as violent crime. A persistent environment of low income and unemployment increase the likelihood of youth engagement in criminal activities. Such behavior often occurs in societies in which the norms of accepted behavior have broken down. In such circumstances, many of the social rules that deter people from engaging in criminal activities no longer exist or are have lost effectiveness (Scott & Marjorie 7).
The youth respond to the changes in society by engaging in delinquent often-criminal activities. A good example is the technology driven society in which the social structure has changed radically. Changes in lifestyle and social arrangement drive a change in the authority structure. These changes affect the form of obedience and the perception of reality. Urbanization is another factor driving the increase in youth engagement in violent criminal activities. The current statistics suggest societies experiencing an increase in urbanization are also experiencing an increase in violent criminal activities among the youths. This is mainly because of the weakening of primary structures, such as family and communities. These primary structures define the normal behavior and help in the control of delinquent behaviors. Modern societies mostly rely on formal correction mechanisms and have high population densities (Scott & Marjorie 18).
The media promote the physical elimination of enemies through movies and television programs. The current studies suggest that youth who watch violence in movies tend to respond violently, especially when they are provoked. The media portray situation that engage the use of violence as a way of reestablishing justice. Movies and television programs do not show the real results of violent behavior. The pain and agony accompanying the violent acts is depicted only in rare situations. The television indirectly leads the children to view violence as a desirable and even necessary. The American Psychological Society estimate up to 10% of the aggressive behavior among the youth is a result of television violence. The growing gap between the rich and the poor is contributing to the increase in violent criminal activities among the youth. The low socioeconomic status of many in the societies results in an increased dependence in social security services and an identity crisis. Youth from the neighbor often face negative labeling even when they commit minor offences. This labeling leads to self-adoption of a violent image and ultimately reslt in more delinquent behavior (Juvenile Crime Laws 67).
Violent behavior among the youths in different times and societies
Confronted with a confusing description of normal behavior because of the changing social structure, some people respond in criminal activities. The youth criminal rate in the rate are low, however, urbanization and the changing social structure is increasing the rate of offences among the youth. Societies in less urban areas experience low criminal activities among the youths because social control structures, such as families and communities are still in place (Scott & Marjorie 58).
Violent crime prevalence among the youths
A majority of offences committed by the youth often involve young males acting in groups. a recent survey indicate most of the offenders are between the age of 16 and 19. Most of the victims in the criminal activities are often youths of the same age. Males are more likely to engage in criminal activities than females. Males are also more likely to be the victims of criminal activities than females. Most of the programs are inadequately equipped to deal with the issue of youth delinquency (Juvenile Crime Laws 32).
Possible solutions and their practicability
The family is the primary institution of socialization and plays an important role in the social development of the youth. Parent management training is important in reducing the rate of criminal activity among the youths. Rehabilitation schemes are necessary to take children out of the streets and introduce them into education. The rehabilitation programs must provide a framework to improve the living conditions of the children. The program must also focus on the survival, development, protective, and participation rights of the children (Scott & Marjorie 23).
Conclusion
As the traditional socialization structures collapse, the new modern society must develop new control structures to put the youth in check. To ensure the youth continue behaving in an acceptable manner, the responsible authorities must address the issue of poverty and unemployment. Illegal activities and must be made more repelling by increasing their consequences. The youth must also be aware of the negative consequences of engaging in criminal activities.
Works cited
Scott, Carolyn, and Marjorie S. Zatz. "Comparative Deviance And Criminology." International Journal Of Comparative Sociology (Brill Academic Publishers) 22.3/4 (1981): 237-256. SocINDEX with Full Text. Web. 14 Oct. 2013.
"Juvenile Crime Laws." Austin American Statesman: 0. Aug 01 1997. ProQuest. Web. 14 Oct. 2013 .
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