Juvenile delinquency : a criminology study investigating the correlation between demo-biographic family structures and delinquency

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is primarily to explore the relationship between the demobiographic family structure and juvenile delinquency from a criminological and sociological perspective. Through analysis of data gathered from 25 interviews with probationers having a history of juvenile delinquency, family factors which might have led them to participate in delinquent activities are identified. Four different aspects of family are addressed in this study. These are: family structure, family conflict, parental efficacy and family deviance. The results show that the majority of the participants have certain family factors which in literature were identified as contributing factors to delinquency. A pattern based on the participants' responses was designed. In this pattern it can be seen that the majority of juvenile delinquents in Malta: live in families with very low income, live in large families, have only up to secondary level of education, their parents have only up to secondary level of education, lack communication with their parents and are physically punished.