Taking A Look At Youth Crime

The number of children and young people charged in court in 2015 was 1,878; the lowest it has ever been since the year 1992 (Statistics New Zealand, n.d.). This fact, alongside other data that is listed and explained below supports the thesis statement that - youth crime is under control in New Zealand. The ‘other data’ will consist of four paragraphs. First of all, information on the topic will be given as well as the types of offenders that exist; secondly, what causes these children and young people to commit illegal acts; thirdly, the consequences they face in court once they are caught and finally, what New Zealand has done and is continuously doing to reduce this issue even further.

In essence, youth crime is illegal acts committed …show more content…
Further on, Becroft talked about risk factors stating that “A risk factor indicates the likelihood that a young person will commit an offence” (p.1). Risk factors categorise as; an individual’s characteristics, family factors, school/work factors, associations with peers, and biological factors (Becroft, 2009). Simply, the more risk factors are present = the more likely for a child or young person to commit an offence. Individual risk factors are factors such as exhibiting behaviours of aggression, hostility, defiance of authority, rule breaking or extreme anti-social behaviour. When left untreated, the behaviour can persist and become more severe, leading to negative impacts on people around them (Becroft, 2009). Family risk factors are factors found in the immediate environment, so inadequate parenting, domestic violence, family dysfunction all contribute to alter a child’s development negatively. Education risk factors mainly include whether or not the child has an education. School is vital for young growing up as it provides academic skills, pro-social attitudes and skills, friends and a sense of belonging to something. A study found that mere participation in school on a regular basis reduced the likelihood of offending as they do not have the free time to be disorderly (Becroft, 2009). Peer risk factors are factors regarding ‘friends’. Studies show that association with anti-social people increases the likelihood of offending. Of all the risk factors, hanging with the wrong people had the strongest effect (Becroft, 2009). Biological risk factors are caused by the body. Genetic, neurotransmitter, neurobiology and mental health problems could be another reason for children and young people to commit offences. However, crime has to