Page 168 - DEDU506_SPECIAL_EDUCATION_ENGLISH

Special Education

Notes 23.5 Identification of Delinquent Children

The delinquent children are identified by observing their behaviours in society and school, situation.
Delinquency behaviour is a part of a dynamic process and it can be understood only in relation to the
sequence of experience of which it is a part. So when we deal with juvenile delinquency, we must
view it in terms of both the conditions of the individual person or the social environment in which he
lives.
The violate the law of the land and commit offences like thefts, gambling, cheating, pick-pocketing,
number, robber, dacoity, destruction or property, violence and assault, intoxicating, vagrancy begging,
kidnapping abduction and other sexual offences etc.

23.6 Etiology of Delinquent Children or Delinquency (Causes)

Delinquency is a acquired behaviour of a child which is not in accordance with social standard and
norms. It is not caused by one single factor but it is an end product or several factors. Some are
hereditary and other are environmental, social and psychological. There may be some physiological
factors are responsible of delinquency. These are as follows:
1. Heredity Factors 2. Environmental Factors
3. School Environment 4. Physical Constitutional Factors and
5. Psychological Factors
1. Heredity Factors: In some of the studies, it has been found that the heredity also contributes for
deliquency. The children may get certain delinquency-tendencies form their parents (heredity) who
are suffering from epilepsy etc. Certain inherited physical defects may also give rise to delinquency
e.g. an ugly boy in physical aspect may wish to destroy whole society because his defect was laughed
at, and therefore he may adopt anti-social behaviour.
Mental retardation and low I.Q. tendencies are also sometimes help in developing delinquency.
Parents who have low. I.Q. generally have their children of lower I.Q., which may encourage anti-
social behaviour.
The innate emotional unstability is also found responsible for anti-social hehaviour. Aggression
may lead to delinquency.
The sex of child also plays an important part e.g. The girls show delinquent behaviour during their
menses. The maladjusted parents also have maladjusted off-spring and this maladjustment may also
help in getting delinquency.
2. Environment Factors: The following factors play an important part in causing delinquency.
(1) The poor socio-economic status of the family e.g. 'hunger and starvation tempt people to tread
the easy devilish path of crime.' Primary needs are not fulfilled. (2) Unemployment for long time
may lead to anti-social behaviour like stealing or getting money through using illegal acts, (3) Presence
of step father or mother, (4) Quarrels among the parents, (5) Lack of parental love and affection, (6)
Discriminatory on partial treatment towards children, (7) Over or under protection by parents, (8)
High expectations and ambitions of parents from their children. Parents have usually high expectation,
(9) Either too lenient or to harsh discipline, (10) Delinquent members of the delinquent home, (13)
Bad friends and classmates are not good, (14) Sexual and poor films and T.V. Programmes (15) Poor
neighbourhood and bad peers, (16) Uncongenial school atmosphere, (17) Parents low character and
mental abnormality and (18) Lack of recreational facilities, or cultural programmes.
3. School Environment: A child enters in school after his home and family environment. The teacher
is an ideal for the students. The following factors may causes for delinquency.
(1) Teacher-behaviour is not impartial. He favours some of the students and his behaviour not
sympathic for the students, may cause for delinquency.
(2) Individual difference. In teaching process of classroom may not consider the individual
difference. There is great variation among the students with regard interest needs and
temperament. If the child, needs are not satisfied, it may great tension in hime.

162 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY