in some countries, a high proportion of criminal acts are committed by teenagers. Why has this happened? What can be done to deal with this?

Today, youth crime is rife. Theft, burglary or even murders are now committed by people of younger and younger ages. The aim of

this

essay is to investigate the factors responsible for the increase in juvenile delinquency and put forward a number of ways to appropriately punish young offenders. It is observed that extreme behaviours are exhibited by most children from dysfunctional families. Without the supervision from parents or caregivers, children’s extreme behaviours

such

as aggression, hostility or defiance is given free rein to develop in their later lives.

In addition

, there is a direct correlation between the lack of engagement in educational activities and serious criminal offending in children. Out of boredom, children befriend with antisocial peers and will gradually copy their behaviours. Media

also

plays an enormous role in shaping children’s criminality.

For example

, games

such

as grand theft auto can desensitise younger players to extreme acts of violence and cruelty, encourage them to commit crimes while giving them the impression that it is morally acceptable to do so. Imprisonment is often cited as a way to punish juvenile offenders.

However

, it is my view that

this

approach can produce extremely destructive effects. They can potentially be victims of physical or sexual abuse of older prisoners, as well as can adopt their negative behaviours. I feel that the best cure for young criminals is rehabilitation.

Therefore

, throughout education and training, the youth can realise their wrongful actions and be given opportunities to turn over a new leaf and transform themselves into useful members of society later in life. There are reasons to explain why today antisocial behaviour among the youth nowadays has reached a historically unprecedented high and rehabilitation is the answer for

this

.