Why Juveniles Commit Crimes

There are several reasons why juveniles commit crimes. These reasons range from an unstable family to peer pressure. According to the Juvenile Forensic Evaluation Center there are also a plethora of psychological disorders that contribute to juvenile crime. These disorders include; Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Dysthymia, Conduct Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (Sheras). The center claims that these disorders can lead to aggressive behavior in adolescents. Familial risks also play a large role in contributing to delinquent behavior. Children that are products of divorced parent or who have suffered abuse within the family are more likely to commit crimes. Lack of parental supervision and involvement has forced many children to fend themselves. Many of these adolescents are left alone for hours and begin to commit crimes.

In low income neighborhoods, there are fewer jobs available and a lack of social programs. This leaves kids with no activities to engage themselves in which can lead to delinquent behavior Drug and alcohol dependency often leads to stealing so that the adolescent can support its habit. In addition, many children who commit these crimes have dropped out of school or do not attend school regularly. In fact, “A Rand study found that a $1 million investment in graduation incentives for disadvantaged students could prevent 258 serious crimes” (Juvenile Justice Fact Sheet). New York offers both secure and non-secure facilities to juveniles who have committed crimes. The state provides the juveniles with many different services while they are being held in these facilities. It cost New York millions of dollars a year to maintain these