Ephesians 6: A Godly Model Of Delinquency

Scripture wisely exhorts fathers to be wary of how they treat their children; specifically, Ephesians 6:4 warns against provocation, and encourages a Godly model of compassion with a proper response to bad behavior. This Scripture encompasses a variety of behaviors or actions by a father that could potentially be provoking or damaging to a child. Along with this, the potential harmful effects of such behavior on youth delinquency and potential solutions to these problems will be discussed. Proverbs 22:6 and Colossians 3: 21 profoundly remind fathers that their duty is to protect their children, not to provoke them, and to raise them to serve the Lord. First, provocation, when considered broadly, emphasizes a variety of behaviors that a father can engage in that will be detrimental to a youth. The intent of Ephesians 6:4 is to encourage raising a youth in a Godly way; however, outright failures or behaviors of a father can cause a child to suffer and to engage in delinquent behavior. Three specific actions of a father may contribute to delinquency. These include the presence of a father, the criminal record of a father and the reaction of a father to a child. First, Thomas, Farrell, and Brown (1996) found that white youth

Three broad behaviors are especially notable in understanding this concept. A father’s presence in a youth’s life, his criminal record, and the way he interacts with his children may contribute to youth delinquency. The lack of his presence may result in poverty, poor monitoring, and increased delinquent socialization. His criminal record may influence the record of his youth, or may inhibit the father’s ability to work out of poverty conditions. Finally, abuse and neglect affect a child emotionally, physically, and mentally. These actions can result