The crime rate among teenagers has increased dramatically in many countries. Discuss some possible reasons for this increase and suggest solutions.

Over the

last

decade, laws are evolving as there has been a massive rise in the level of

crime

committed by teenagers in several countries. In the U.A.E, the

crime

rate of youngsters has risen by 17% in the

last

2 years as per the Dubai Police Authority. It is important to establish why

this

has happened and to look at ways to solve the problem. The following paragraphs will address these components. One reason is the breakdown in the nuclear family. With increased divorce rates, many children have been brought up in one-parent families with no father to act as a role model which is detrimental to their development. It is particularly important for boys because without proper guidance they can easily be led into bad influences

such

as drugs and

crime

. Another factor is the lack of things to do for the young.

For example

, in the UK, television programs about these issues reveal that teenagers hang around in the evenings with little to do. When

such

events happen, boredom affects the individual, they will find their own entertainment, which is often

crime

.

Firstly

, extended government support for families is a great way to tackle

this

problem. To illustrate, they could invest more into building and staffing youth centres which would provide guidance through the youth workers and enable teenagers to focus their attention on sports and other activities.

Secondly

, parents should

also

be encouraged to take more responsibility for their children. Ultimately, the onus is on them to ensure their children are brought up in a loving environment which would make them less likely to turn to

crime

. They could,

for instance

, find a male relative to act as a role model. In conclusion, there are various reasons for the rise in

crime

, but solutions are available. If we begin to tackle the issue now, we may be able to prevent the situation from declining

further

.