Youth Risk Behaviors

Youth Risk Behaviors

In order to truly understand the nature and extent of juvenile delinquency, it’s important to look over the statistics of different risk behaviors that adolescents are engaging in. Examining the numbers can properly narrow down the areas that adolescents need help in. The Youth Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) does just that, by collecting survey data from risk behaviors of adolescents in different states, the application can assist in improving adolescent health and school health. Understanding the different categories of risk behaviors and knowing the factors that increase the chances of delinquency, can help assort ideas and programs on ways to improve an adolescent’s behavior. According the YRBSS, there are six

There are a number of circumstances that can heighten the chances for adolescents risk taking, these factors must be taken into consideration in order to properly come up with a solution to the issue. One factor to consider would be social class, a family’s poverty level can have an impact on a child mental health. Parents can endure a severe level of stress when they aren’t able to sustain their family, this causes a strain on the child as they grow, increasing the chances for delinquency. Broken families also play a crucial part in adolescent risk, as “a child's initial contact with the world begins with the family. It is the family -- not schools or churches -- that initiates adolescents to societal moral codes (Onwudiwe, 2004).” Families instill their children with morals and ethics that are accepted in society, without that base, young adults are more likely to break laws and ignore social norms. A lack of education and social environment are also factors to consider as they can have negative or positive effects on an

So if proper programs are established, the rate of juvenile delinquency might decrease which might reduce the rate of crime in the future. The first course of action to address delinquency is early interventions, stopping it before it starts, which could be implement in schools or in local communities. The intervention is a program that educates children on deviate behavior and risk factors that play along with it. The program will also deliver support to the families that might be having problems. The first program that followed this model was the Perry Preschool Program which resulted in positive effects on social-emotional and cognitive development of the children in the program, as well as parenting practices (Jennings, 2000). If delinquency has already occurred the best way to rehabilitate the adolescent is with Multisystemic Therapy, this is a program that has 24 hour available parental guidance, family therapy, individual therapy, group therapy, educational support and quite importantly influences a change of peer group. (Jennings, 2000). These programs have been proven to reduce juvenile delinquency and is a cost affliction alternative that reduces the likeliness of re-offense than if compared to being sentence to