Risk factors relating to criminology are influences that can cause an individual to be more likely to commit offending behaviours compared to others. There are many factors that can lead to juvenile delinquency. Key risk factors include social influences such as family and peers or communal influences such as school policies and the area that they live in. However how much of these of these risk factors actually lead to offending behaviour in adolescence and what risk factor may have the biggest affect?
A study by McCord found that poor parenting, parental aggression and conflict as well as very strict disciplining. However this is a very old study and may not apply today, it also only looks at 10 year old boys which means this can’t be applies …show more content…
Social identity theory also explains that a group of peers often have a shared identity were they have the dame values, norms and morals. To fit in, an individual may pick up these characteristics to become a part of the group, Elliot found that when spending time with peers that disapprove of criminal behaviour actually decreased, backing the claim that peers are a big risk factor. However many researchers have found that peer influence is most effective when there are issues with the family structure. Individuals begin to spend more time with peers rather than family and lose respect for their parents and begin to value their peers’ opinions more. This shows that while peer relationships can have an impact and it an important factor, Family seems to have a bigger affect, even influencing …show more content…
If the child’s relationship with the parents is not good, they may find ways to rebel or could possibly not be getting the support they need in school. Furthermore they may try to look for other relationships to seek approval from. However all the risk factors are important in adding to the route of delinquency in adolescence. Overall a lot of the research focuses on males which make it difficult to understand what risk factors are important for
A study by McCord found that poor parenting, parental aggression and conflict as well as very strict disciplining. However this is a very old study and may not apply today, it also only looks at 10 year old boys which means this can’t be applies …show more content…
Social identity theory also explains that a group of peers often have a shared identity were they have the dame values, norms and morals. To fit in, an individual may pick up these characteristics to become a part of the group, Elliot found that when spending time with peers that disapprove of criminal behaviour actually decreased, backing the claim that peers are a big risk factor. However many researchers have found that peer influence is most effective when there are issues with the family structure. Individuals begin to spend more time with peers rather than family and lose respect for their parents and begin to value their peers’ opinions more. This shows that while peer relationships can have an impact and it an important factor, Family seems to have a bigger affect, even influencing …show more content…
If the child’s relationship with the parents is not good, they may find ways to rebel or could possibly not be getting the support they need in school. Furthermore they may try to look for other relationships to seek approval from. However all the risk factors are important in adding to the route of delinquency in adolescence. Overall a lot of the research focuses on males which make it difficult to understand what risk factors are important for