What influences teens to commit crimes?

Answer 1

There are many influences that drive teenagers to commit minor to serious crimes. In 2009 the U.S. alone made an estimated 1.5 million arrests against people under the age of eighteen. Twenty-four percent of those cases were violent crimes against persons while thirty-eight percent were against property.

A few reasons that influence teenagers to commit crimes are:

• Geographical Location
• Income
• Parenting
• Mental Illness
• Affiliation with Gangs
• Peer Pressure

The geographical area that a teen resides in has a direct impact on their behavior. It's has been proven that neighborhoods with higher crime raters in turn have the higher juvenile crime rates. One would deduce that impoverished neighborhoods struggle for police resources and are generally disregarded.

A families wealth also has a direct impact on teenage crime rate. Wealthier families have less of a struggle to make ends meet and therefore are involved in less violent and property crimes. Impoverished families do not have the luxury of constant income and may resort to crimes (violent, property, and drugs) to supplement income.

The parenting of a child also plays a huge role in keeping teenagers out of trouble. A child who grows up with his/her parent(s) in prison/jail may learn indirectly that crime is okay to commit. Parents who are inattentive and neglectful may also be a huge factor in driving teenagers to commit crime.

We all understand that being a teenager is hard; we're becoming sexually active; our bodies are changing rapidly; and more is being expected of us. Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar disorder are extremely prevalent in minors between 15-18. The amount of pressure to meet the demands of living can drive teenagers to break down and thus commit crime. This factor also ties into geographical and familiar wealth. Poorer neighborhoods and people have less access to mental health treatment and care than in wealthier areas.

Also gangs and criminal groups play a huge factor. Generally members are "inducted" as teenagers because they're vulnerable. They're promised drugs, sex, money, and protection. These are a teenagers dreams as they have limited impulse control and see these people as "cool". Murders, rapes, robberies, and many other crimes occur at alarming rates when youth offenders are affiliated with gangs.

Last but not least, peer pressure. "I dare you to take that pack of bubble gum, are you chicken? He's a chicken everyone!"Peer pressure has a direct effect on the mentality of a teenager. Do I want to fit in or be an outcast? This factor ties in with all of the above.

The reasons are endless but one thing is true, teenagers need guidance and a proper family. A strong family with good moral ethics can dramatically reduce a teenagers chance of being involved in crime.

Answer 2

There are many influences that drive teenagers to commit minor to serious crimes. In 2009 the U.S. alone made an estimated 1.5 million arrests against people under the age of eighteen. Twenty-four percent of those cases were violent crimes against persons while thirty-eight percent were against property.

A few reasons that influence teenagers to commit crimes are:

• Geographical Location
• Income
• Parenting
• Mental Illness
• Affiliation with Gangs
• Peer Pressure

The geographical area that a teen resides in has a direct impact on their behavior. It's has been proven that neighborhoods with higher crime raters in turn have the higher juvenile crime rates. One would deduce that impoverished neighborhoods struggle for police resources and are generally disregarded.

A families wealth also has a direct impact on teenage crime rate. Wealthier families have less of a struggle to make ends meet and therefore are involved in less violent and property crimes. Impoverished families do not have the luxury of constant income and may resort to crimes (violent, property, and drugs) to supplement income.

The parenting of a child also plays a huge role in keeping teenagers out of trouble. A child who grows up with his/her parent(s) in prison/jail may learn indirectly that crime is okay to commit. Parents who are inattentive and neglectful may also be a huge factor in driving teenagers to commit crime.

We all understand that being a teenager is hard; we're becoming sexually active; our bodies are changing rapidly; and more is being expected of us. Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar disorder are extremely prevalent in minors between 15-18. The amount of pressure to meet the demands of living can drive teenagers to break down and thus commit crime. This factor also ties into geographical and familiar wealth. Poorer neighborhoods and people have less access to mental health treatment and care than in wealthier areas.

Also gangs and criminal groups play a huge factor. Generally members are "inducted" as teenagers because they're vulnerable. They're promised drugs, sex, money, and protection. These are a teenagers dreams as they have limited impulse control and see these people as "cool". Murders, rapes, robberies, and many other crimes occur at alarming rates when youth offenders are affiliated with gangs.

Last but not least, peer pressure. "I dare you to take that pack of bubble gum, are you chicken? He's a chicken everyone!"Peer pressure has a direct effect on the mentality of a teenager. Do I want to fit in or be an outcast? This factor ties in with all of the above.

The reasons are endless but one thing is true, teenagers need guidance and a proper family. A strong family with good moral ethics can dramatically reduce a teenagers chance of being involved in crime.