Adolescence is of particular interest for study, since it is during this period that the child ceases to be a child, but is not yet an adult; he is just beginning to develop his behavioral skills in society, which is why delinquent behavior is often manifested. The state tolerates some capriciousness of teenagers who try to prove their adulthood in various forms. However, there is a limit to everything. Some offenses committed by teenagers are punishable, as parents are well aware of.

The online magazine website calls delinquent behavior actions directed against established rules, laws and orders in society. Some of them are illegal, such as alcoholism, prostitution or theft. Teenagers are guided by their own principles, so they can commit an act that will lead to punishment. And if punishment does not happen, then the teenager often allows himself to commit it again.

Numerous problems associated with shocking appearance, bad friends, rudeness, etc.) are the instinctive need of the younger generation to “break the umbilical cord connecting the child and mother”, to find an “adult element” to which they will strive. In other words, the teenager instinctively tries to stop being a child and begin his journey towards becoming an adult. But due to the fact that he does not have examples of truly adult people to look up to, he only resorts to elements that he thinks will make him an adult - sex, drinking, fighting, etc. And the problem is The only problem is that he does not have a real example of an adult whom he would aspire to be like.

Adolescence is the stage when a person begins to mature. There is no guarantee that he will actually become an adult as a boy or girl. For many people, this stage drags on for many years, reaching old age. This is why you can find grown men and women over 50 acting like teenagers. Outwardly they aged, but inside they never grew up, stuck at the stage when they were teenagers.

At the same time, a social problem is the fact that the new generation is trying to find role models among adults and does not find them. Since many adults have not yet become mature and responsible themselves and act like teenagers, what can we say about those who are trying to imitate them. Various teenage behaviors that are unacceptable to parents are simply a reflection of the fact that children do not have role models to show them what it means to be adults. They copy adults who have not yet grown up themselves and behave like children. It becomes a vicious circle when parents expect their teenagers to act like adults, but at the same time they behave like teenagers, whom their children copy.

Many people simply don't want to grow up because then they become responsible for everything they do, think and say. People are not used to this: it is easier for them to do something, and in case of failure, shift the blame to another person or circumstances. An adult is required to be constantly responsible for everything that happens to him.

Between the position of a “child” and the position of an “adult” lies a certain one. A person, getting into it, is “zeroed” and, depending on the paths he takes to leave it, he will return to his previous state of a “child” (i.e., he will be guided by old patterns of behavior) or become an “adult” (i.e. e. will develop a completely different personality with new patterns of behavior).

To grow up, a person must go through a deeply stressful situation where no one can help him except himself. Then, solving all the problems that have arisen on his own, he will use his old behavioral models that he used in childhood (for example, being offended and blaming the world for injustice), or will form new models that he has never used before, realizing that he is carrying responsibility for every decision, action and word (for example, he will stop blaming the world for injustice and try to solve the problem).

You need to “reset”, that is, get into a problematic situation where no one can help you. Then you will have to independently choose how to proceed in this situation, and bear full responsibility for it.

What is delinquent behavior?

Teenagers are mostly distinguished by their loud and explosive behavior, which is based mainly on emotions. However, not every behavior is acceptable in society. And here a term such as delinquent behavior arises, which implies the destructive actions of a teenager who directs them against the rules and norms of society. They are directed against the laws of the state, and therefore can sometimes be of a criminal or illegal nature.

Criminal behavior is one of the forms of delinquent behavior. Not every behavior that deviates from the norm is delinquent, but all delinquent behavior is deviant. Delinquent behavior is directed against the rules and laws of the state. If a teenager commits offenses that violate the law, then upon reaching adulthood he becomes an antisocial person. If a teenager’s actions simply violate the norms of morality and behavior, then he is classified as an antisocial person.

Many older people have a negative attitude towards the behavior of teenagers, calling it criminal. However, this is an exaggerated opinion. Teenagers may listen to loud music or go out at night, which is not illegal behavior. However, if teenagers begin to swear, get involved in alcohol, drugs, promiscuity, or commit criminal acts, then their behavior should be punished.

Delinquent behavior has a number of features:

1. It is difficult to separate illegal behavior from destructive behavior.
2. Illegal behavior is the most serious and problematic for society.
3. Delinquent behavior is clearly regulated by laws and regulations.
4. always arises between a teenager and the whole society, its order.

Why is the government so concerned about what teenagers do? Delinquent behavior not only contradicts the laws and rules of society, but also triggers a mechanism of permissiveness and lack of order within the country. The state must ensure that every citizen observes certain rules of decency, otherwise such a state becomes weak and insolvent.

Delinquent and deviant behavior

In psychology, two terms of behavior are used - delinquent and deviant. Despite their similarities, they have their differences:

1. Deviant behavior is mainly directed against the rules and morals established in society. Delinquent behavior is opposed to law and order in the state.
2. Deviant behavior is regulated exclusively by the teenager’s relationships with people around him. Delinquent behavior is regulated by law; if you go against it, then there will be punishment.
3. can be directed against specific individuals or an entire group. Delinquent behavior is directed against the rules of society as a whole.

Deviant behavior is condemned by criticism and condemnation, and delinquent behavior can be criminally punishable. Acts of a delinquent nature are called torts, and the criminal is called a delinquent. Usually the state punishes criminals according to all the rules, but usually the criminal himself becomes even more embittered against the social order, which is why he continues to commit actions that please him. That is why punishment in this case does not have the desired effect. Prevention of delinquent behavior becomes useful.

It is during adolescence that a person begins to become an adult, trying himself and finding his place “under the sun.” Delinquent behavior is often formed in a group of friends, where there is a leader or even an older person than the other participants. They have no interests, do not engage in studies, sports and other useful activities. Out of boredom, they begin to drink alcohol, drugs, and commit various harmful acts. Here we can distinguish three groups of such teenagers:

1. The first group includes teenagers who have moral principles, but there is conflict within them. They often become suggestible and impulsive in their actions, after which they repent and reform.
2. The second group includes teenagers with internal conflict, but they no longer have remorse or feelings of guilt. They do things because it is convenient for them.
3. The third group includes teenagers without any internal conflict. They commit illegal acts consciously, taking pleasure in it and fully aware of how harmful their actions are.

Delinquent behavior does not just happen. It is preceded by certain reasons, which are seen in the following:

• The economic situation in the country, when teenagers absorb the idea that they should be rich and successful, but their actual financial capabilities are very small and limited.
• Family environment. If a teenager does not have a relationship with his parents, who overprotect him, ignore him, order him, do not respect him, do not love him, do not listen, then illegal behavior arises.
• A decrease in the importance of moral and cultural values ​​in society, which is absorbed by teenagers.
• An unstable situation in the country, which may undergo various changes that affect the perception of the world by teenagers.
• Infatuation with watching various action and horror films, in which there is no censorship, everyone kills each other and causes physical harm.
• The presence of internal conflicts when a teenager does not correspond to his ideal “I”.

Since a teenager is not able to control his emotions, and also often blames others for his troubles, he prefers to commit delinquent acts. Having caused some harm to society, he does not see anything wrong with it, since he believes that he committed a just action in revenge for his grief.

Teenagers really need respect, love and attention to themselves. Moreover, they do not need moralizing, but rather a respectful, equal position. If a child does not experience the required feelings for himself in the family and at school, then he becomes prone to destructive behavior.

Another reason for delinquent behavior is the need to receive pleasant emotions. If a child is not friends with anyone, is not successful in school, and is not loved by his parents, then he may experience pleasant experiences after drinking alcohol or having sex. If these methods of achieving happiness are the strongest and brightest, then the teenager will begin to resort to them.

Lack of hobbies and having a lot of free time that has nowhere to go can also cause delinquent behavior. The teenager will simply look for himself in at least something that can lead him to illegal behavior.

Forms of delinquent behavior

Common forms of delinquent behavior are:

• Crime. Children from dysfunctional families and in the presence of a collapsing personality often take such actions.
• Addiction. The desire for pleasure that cannot be obtained in ordinary life allows one to become addicted to drugs or alcohol.
• Prostitution. Here, the reasons for its occurrence are two factors: a way of earning money, when a teenager simply does not have money for what he wants, and a way of receiving attention and love, which parents do not give.

Since adolescents who have lost contact with adults often develop delinquent behavior, they simply do not know in what ways they can solve their problems so as not to resort to prostitution, alcohol, drug addiction or crime. A child who simply does not know how to solve his problem in a peaceful way becomes a delinquent.

What kind of prevention of delinquent behavior can be carried out as a result?

It is better to prevent delinquent behavior than to eliminate it. And this is where prevention can help:

1. A successful relationship between parents and a child, when he is respected, heard, appreciated, supported, and helped. Here it is important for parents to notice children's problems and help in finding peaceful ways to solve them.
2. Elimination of films and programs showing violence.
3. Promoting school performance. It is not necessary to be an excellent student, but the child must receive good grades in at least some subjects.
4. Emotionally positive attitude. The child should receive positive emotions from everyday life.
5. Having friends, when the child will be surrounded by people with moral principles and values.

Delinquent behavior (from the Latin delictum - misconduct) is called antisocial and illegal behavior. These are actions or inactions aimed at causing harm to individuals or society as a whole. The term is used by criminologists, teachers, sociologists, psychologists and representatives of other branches of science.

Definition of the concept

In any society there is a set of traditions and rules, including unwritten ones, thanks to which people can get along comfortably with each other. There are also mechanisms that enforce compliance with these rules in one form or another. This includes not only law enforcement agencies, but also a person’s conscience and morals: fear of condemnation from loved ones or remorse is a factor which often forces one to follow generally accepted norms.

A society that is undergoing constant reforms is more susceptible to manifestations of delinquent behavior. This phenomenon is natural: the old norms of behavior have already been abolished, and the new ones have not yet taken root, since they have not yet had time to take root in the consciousness of ordinary people. For this reason, any reforms and revolutions are accompanied by an increase in the crime rate against the background of delinquency of the population. As an example, a chronically high crime rate in Brazil can be taken as a form of delinquency, which is due to the economic inequality of citizens and the regular change of political regimes.

Deviance and delinquency

Delinquent behavior is an absolute concept related to the legislative framework of a particular state. However, it also covers those actions for which formal punishment is not provided. It should be clarified that delinquent and deviant are not absolutely identical definitions.

Deviant behavior is one that may differ from generally accepted norms, but not every deviation is a crime. Any delinquent behavior recognized as a form of deviance, but the opposite statement depends on the legislation of the state. Example: homosexuality, the most common sexual deviation, is punishable by death in some countries. In other societies, there is a more loyal attitude towards this phenomenon: from outright condemnation in society, which does not entail criminal liability, to tolerant or absolutely neutral.

Types of delinquent behavior

The main forms of delinquent behavior are: crime, which includes drug addiction and prostitution. According to research by the French-Belgian statistician Kegle, crimes occur in any social system, regardless of the welfare of the population. It is impossible to completely eradicate crime, but this phenomenon can be controlled.

The main reason for drug use is interest and thirst for new experiences. In most cases, the risk group is young people who take the first dose under the influence of friends or acquaintances.

Prostitution, which is rightfully considered the oldest profession, appeared with the division of labor and the development of monogamous marriages. Even the medieval Catholic Church was forced to put up with this phenomenon. There are 3 types of government policies regarding prostitution:

• Complete ban;
• Registration as labor activity and medical supervision;
• Carrying out explanatory and preventive work.

Practice shows, that from an economic point of view, the legalization of these phenomena is primarily beneficial to the state. Holland, where prostitution and so-called “soft” drugs (for example, marijuana) are legalized, is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. The treasury is replenished not only by rich foreigners, but also by local “entrepreneurs” who regularly pay taxes.

Less dangerous forms of delinquent behavior are various administrative offenses, often provoked by the deviant personality type of the offender. The signs of delinquent behavior in this case are not so clearly expressed:

Such behavior, other than public censure, often has no consequences. Intruder, confident in his own impunity, “gets the taste” and can move on to more serious types of violations.

Also, delinquent behavior includes various disciplinary offenses: absenteeism, failure to fulfill work duties, appearing at the place of work or study while intoxicated, violation of labor safety standards. This type of delinquency is the most harmless. But this is not a reason to stop fighting such phenomena.

Adolescent delinquency

In adolescents, this type of behavior usually occurs under the influence of more experienced friends who have bad habits. The friend himself is not necessarily deviant or antisocial personality. A group of teenagers who are not interested in serious activities such as sports, art or science are left to their own devices. Out of boredom, they begin to look for entertainment that can give a jolt, or even tickle their nerves. Many find an outlet in alcohol and then in drugs, which is already illegal behavior.

Excess hormones often push us to rash actions - conflicts that end in fights, theft from supermarkets in order to “show off our prowess,” bullying of peers or animals. Much depends on temperament: aggressiveness, adventurism, choleric personality type are fertile ground for the emergence of delinquency. Based on their characteristics, such adolescents can be divided into three groups:

This doesn't mean at all that all teenagers, without exception, are like this. An example is any “positive” teenager who does not skip school, does homework, is socially active and is passionate about some hobby.

Criminologists believe that socio-economic factors significantly influence the delinquency of adolescents. Young people are highly susceptible to the influence of any factors and information: they absorb everything new like a sponge. With the correct presentation of the facts, when any crime is justified, a teenager can easily be persuaded to deviant behavior, since his development is still underdeveloped. This is an additional reason for parents controlled the interests of the teenager and nipped any type of delinquency in the bud. Despite the influence of teachers at school, the family is the main guiding and nurturing force.

On the other hand, family relationships can also cause delinquency. Inappropriate bad attitude on the part of parents is a guarantee that the teenager will look for other authorities who will not always teach good things. Often a quarrel in the family is the reason for leaving home, skipping school, fighting or hooliganism . Most serious offenses are not caused by the influence of the streets, but by relationships with members of their own family. It is worth noting that the reasons may lie not in open conflict, but also in a cold, distant attitude on the part of parents.

Often the origins of delinquency lie in the teenager’s rejection either at home or at school. Although the child may not show this in any way, the opinion of teachers, especially the class teacher, is very important to him. Often this is the second most important authority in the eyes of a teenager. The attitude of the director of extracurricular activities, for example, a coach in a sports section, is also important. In the absence of “feedback”, approval and support from teachers and parents, the teenager withdraws into himself. Over time, sadness gives way to aggression, and this is one of the reasons for committing various types of offenses.

Many teachers consider the main reason for delinquency to be a large amount of free time, when a teenager is left to his own devices, and a lack of hobbies, except for the most primitive ones. Empty conversations with peers, aimless “wandering” through the streets, watching TV or unhelpful Internet sites provoke personal degradation and degeneration of morality. Boredom becomes the reason try new sensations: alcohol, drugs, toxic substances.

Adolescent development occurs quickly. Therefore, it is necessary to pay due attention to crime prevention. It is important to instill in a young person the correct moral standards, making a conscious choice not out of fear of punishment for an offense, but because of its unacceptability.

Psychologists agree that the reasons for an adult’s delinquent behavior lie in his childhood and adolescence. As a rule, it is more difficult to lead an adult, fully formed personality “astray from the true path.” Moral principles– this is the main reason that keeps a person from committing a crime, even if he is confident of complete impunity. On the other hand, it is difficult to re-educate an adult who commits any kind of violation: the character has already been formed, and if there are no moral standards, there is nowhere for them to come from. Therefore, crime prevention and proper upbringing of children and adolescents are important factors determining the behavior of any individual in adulthood.

Features of delinquent behavior

Delinquent behavior as a form of deviant behavior of an individual has a number of features.

Firstly, this one of the least defined types of deviant behavior of a person. For example, the range of acts considered criminal is different for different states at different times. The laws themselves are ambiguous, and due to their imperfections, a large part of the adult population can be classified as “criminals”, for example, under such charges as tax evasion or causing physical pain to someone. Likewise, everyone knows that lying is forbidden. But a person who tells the truth always and everywhere, regardless of the circumstances, will look more inadequate than someone who lies appropriately.

Secondly, delinquent behavior governed primarily by legal norms-- laws, regulations, disciplinary rules.

Third, unlawful behavior is recognized one of the most dangerous forms of deviation, because it threatens the very foundations of the social structure - public order.

Fourthly, such personal behavior is active condemned and punished in any society. The main function of any state is to create laws and monitor their implementation, therefore, unlike other types of deviations, delinquent behavior is regulated by special social institutions: courts, investigative bodies, and places of deprivation of liberty.

Finally, fifthly, it is important that illegal behavior inherently means the presence of conflict between the individual and society- between individual aspirations and public interests.

From the listed features we can conclude that delinquent behavior is one of the most complex types of deviant behavior, since it threatens the social order and well-being of people.

Conditions for the formation of delinquent behavior

Despite various public measures aimed at encouraging citizens to follow established laws and regulations, many people violate them every day. It is often difficult to understand why seemingly ordinary people suddenly commit a serious crime. Most often these are mentally healthy individuals, including children and adolescents.

When considering the determination of illegal actions, we usually talk about a set of external conditions and internal reasons that cause such behavior. Of course, in each specific case there is a unique combination of factors, however, it is possible to identify some general trends in the formation of delinquent behavior.

Social conditions play a role in the origin of illegal behavior. These primarily include multi-level social processes. These are, for example, the weakness of government and imperfect legislation, social cataclysms and low living standards.

Some people cannot give up delinquent behavior because in today's consumer society, the vast majority strives for income, consumption and success at any cost. To people who are somehow “pushed aside” from public goods, it is difficult to achieve the desired goals legally.

The social cause of antisocial behavior of a particular individual can also be society's tendency to label. IN In a number of cases, stable antisocial behavior is formed according to the principle of a vicious circle: a primary, accidentally committed crime - punishment - the experience of violent relationships (maximally represented in places of detention) - subsequent difficulties in social adaptation due to the label of “criminal” - accumulation of socio-economic difficulties and secondary delinquency - a more serious crime - etc.

P. Kuter points out that many law-abiding people have aggressive-criminal impulses, which are not realized by them in specific actions, but are projected onto other people, for example, those who commit crimes. As a result of these projective processes, offenses may be overly judged and unfairly punished, which in turn leads to increased delinquency.

Thus, society itself, paradoxically, through unjustified actions and overly serious punishments, educates criminals whom we would like to get rid of. The state, while proclaiming the fight against violence, itself uses it (often in even greater quantities) in relation to the offender. Today, 86 countries of the world have an article on the death penalty in their legislation. In general, people are forced violent relationship stereotype. Representatives of the authorities persecute delinquent individuals, demonstrating their power to them in the same way that they acted in relation to their victims. A vicious circle arises, moving along which delinquent individuals cause harm to themselves and others.

The microsocial situation plays a significant role in the origin of delinquent behavior. Its formation, for example, is facilitated by: asocial and antisocial environment (alcoholism of parents, asocial and antisocial family or company); neglect; large and single-parent families; intra-family conflicts; chronic conflicts with significant others.

V. N. Kudryavtsev points out to a state of alienation criminal from your environment occurring already at an early age. Thus, 10% of aggressive criminals believed that their mother did not love them in childhood.

Summarizing the literature data, we can list the following microsocial factors causing delinquency:

frustration of the child's need for tender care and affection from parents (for example, an extremely harsh father or an insufficiently caring mother), which in turn causes early traumatic experiences of the child;

physical or psychological cruelty or the cult of power in the family (for example, excessive or constant use of punishment);

insufficient influence of the father (for example, in his absence), complicating the normal development of moral consciousness;

acute trauma (illness, death of a parent, violence, divorce) with fixation on traumatic circumstances;

Indulging the child in fulfilling his desires; insufficient demands of parents, their inability to put forward consistently increasing demands or achieve their fulfillment;

overstimulation of the child - too intense early loving relationships with parents, brothers and sisters;

inconsistency of requirements for the child on the part of the parents, as a result of which the child does not have a clear understanding of the norms of behavior;

change of parents (guardians);

chronically expressed conflicts between parents (the situation is especially dangerous when a cruel father beats his mother);

Undesirable personality traits of parents (for example, the combination of an undemanding father and an indulgent mother);

The child’s assimilation of delinquent values ​​(explicit or hidden) through learning in the family or in a group.

As a rule, at first, when experiencing frustration, a child experiences pain, which, in the absence of understanding and mitigation, turns into disappointment And anger. Aggression attracts the attention of parents, which in itself is important for the child. In addition, using aggression, the child often achieves his goals by controlling those around him. Gradually, aggression and rule-breaking begin to be systematically used as ways to obtain the desired result. Delinquent behavior is reinforced.

Based on the example of juveniles, it can be concluded that there are multiple causes for criminal behavior, including the influence of peer groups, social control and social learning, biological and situational factors.

Individual determinants of illegal behavior are of particular interest for psychological analysis.

In turn, individual characteristics are significantly determined sexual differences. For example, it is well known that illegal behavior is more common among males. Despite the increase in female crime, its relative indicators are significantly lower than male ones; for example, female crimes in Russia in 1998 amounted to 15% of the total number of registered cases.

We can talk about crimes that are more characteristic of women or men. Torts such as child murder, prostitution, and shoplifting are more often committed by women. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to steal cars, commit robberies, thefts, cause bodily harm, and kill. There are also typical male crimes, such as rape.

Age factor determines the uniqueness of behavior at different stages of ontogenesis. The age dynamics of the frequency of offenses is manifested as follows: the age of the majority of criminals ranges from 25 to 35 years; the number of crimes increases steadily from 14 to 29; the maximum incidence of crime occurs at 29 years of age; from 29 to 40 years there is a gradual decline; after 40 years, crimes are rare.

Obviously, it makes sense to talk about antisocial behavior (as opposed, for example, to aggressive behavior) only after reaching a certain age, in our opinion, no earlier than 6-8 years. As a rule, a small child cannot be sufficiently aware of his behavior, control it and relate it to social norms. Only at school does a child for the first time and truly encounter fundamental social requirements, and only starting from school age is a child expected to strictly follow the basic rules of behavior.

There are also “qualitative” features of the manifestation of delinquent behavior at different ages. Social behavior disorders in the early stages of ontogenesis, probably represent problems of the child’s mental development or neurotic reactions that are transient in nature. For example, theft of a five-year-old child may be associated with hyperactivity, a neurotic need for attention and love, a reaction to the loss of a loved one, delayed intellectual development, and the inability to obtain necessary food and things.

From the moment of entering school, the situation changes fundamentally - the stage of intensive socialization of the individual begins in the conditions of the child’s increased mental capabilities. From now on, certain actions of the child can indeed be considered as close to illegal. At primary school age(6 - 11 years old) delinquent behavior can manifest itself in the following forms: petty hooliganism, violation of school rules and discipline, truancy, running away from home, lying and theft.

It should be noted that the socio-economic crisis in Russia contributed to the growth of delinquent behavior, including in the children’s age group. The impoverishment of a part of the population, the collapse of public education institutions, changes in social attitudes - all this inevitably leads to the fact that an asocial child of a street appearance becomes a familiar hero of city streets. Street hooliganism among younger schoolchildren (theft, scams near telephone booths, extortion) is combined with vagrancy, drug and alcohol use. It is obvious that in such cases, children's deviant behavior naturally turns into delinquent behavior in adolescence and adulthood.

Illegal actions in adolescence(12 - 17 years old) are even more conscious and voluntary. Along with the “usual” violations for a given age, such as theft and hooliganism among boys, theft and prostitution among girls, new forms of them have become widespread - drug and weapons trafficking, racketeering, pimping, fraud, assault businessmen and foreigners.

In addition to gender and age, it stands out constitutional factor. Researchers note that constitutional features may well direct personality development in an antisocial direction. For example, a child’s desires can be so strong that he can hardly tolerate the state of hunger, under the influence of which he can begin to steal. Or there are likely to be marked individual differences in young children's ability to form close relationships.

Thus, it can be noted that the formation of delinquent behavior is influenced by both pedagogical neglect, bad manners, and mental anomalies: renidity, inappropriate reactions. And when studying a delinquent personality, it is important to know what factor underlies unlawful behavior.

Delinquency is an increasingly common phenomenon these days. It implies a violation of social norms accepted in society. The increasingly widespread nature of delinquent behavior has forced sociologists, psychologists, doctors, law enforcement officials, and even ordinary people to pay attention to them. Many scientists are studying the causes, factors and conditions that determine the manifestation of this negative phenomenon. However, first you need to understand what normal behavior is and what causes it?

Definition

Every society has its own traditions and rules of conduct. They can be either formal or unwritten. There are also mechanisms to enforce them. You need to understand that this is not only law enforcement agencies, but also the fear of condemnation from loved ones. A person can talk as much as he wants about the fact that he does not accept generally accepted morality, but subconsciously follow it. A completely different situation can be observed in a society that is in a constant process of reform. During this period, old norms are destroyed, and new ones, although they appear, do not have time to take root and acquire enforcement mechanisms. Therefore, all reforms and revolutions imply an increase in the level of delinquency of the population. This explains the situation in modern Russia, as well as the destructive trends throughout the world. The concept of delinquency implies any violation of social and legal norms. It must be distinguished from deviance. The latter implies deviation; it is a relative concept. It has to do with the rules that have developed in a particular social group. Delinquency is an absolute concept. It has to do with the laws of a given country. However, delinquent behavior covers not only those actions for which formal punishment is required.

History of the study

Normal human behavior is the basis for the harmonious functioning of any society. Therefore, at all times, authorities, philosophers and scientists have sought to find methods and means of stimulating it. Therefore, delinquency is a subject of sociological research. The origins of its study go back to Durkheim. However, a separate direction devoted to the study of delinquency was formed thanks to Merton and Cohen. In the USSR it was studied within the framework of narcology, criminology and suicidology as special disciplines. Delinquency has been a subject of study by Russian sociologists only since the 1960s and 1970s. Afanasiev, Zdravomyslov, Matochkin, and Gilinsky made a great contribution to the study of this phenomenon.

Causes of delinquency

Different branches of sociology explain deviations from normal behavior differently. Merton, following Durkheim, uses the concept of “anomaly”. By this he understands the state of society when new values ​​have not yet been established, and the old ones have already become obsolete. Thus, the delinquency of adolescents can be explained. It is associated with a restructuring of the psyche and a change in their place and role in society. The reason for delinquent behavior, according to Merton, is the inconsistency between the goals that society sets for a person and the means that it provides him. Another direction explains deviations by the presence of norms of another culture. believes that deviations arise due to the inequality of people and the inability of individual social groups to satisfy their needs. Another group of reasons is associated with an increase in the number of various pathologies. For example, mental illness, drug addiction and alcoholism.

Species

The main type of delinquent behavior is crime. Also its varieties are prostitution and drug addiction. The origins of sociological research on crime lie in the works of the Russian scientist German. The French-Belgian statistician Quetelet made a significant contribution to them. The latter came to the conclusion that any social system presupposes the presence of crimes. It is impossible to eradicate them completely, it is only possible to keep them under control. According to experts, the growth of crime in Russia was greatly influenced by the transition to market relations.

For a long time, drug addiction in the USSR was considered a problem only in capitalist countries. However, in modern Russia no one denies its importance. Sociological surveys show that the main reason for drug use is the thirst for new sensations. In most cases, we are talking about young people who got hooked on them under the influence of friends and acquaintances. Today society is much better informed about the consequences of drug use; the majority of respondents have a negative attitude towards them.

Another type of delinquent behavior is prostitution. It originated with the social division of labor and the development of monogamy. Even in the Middle Ages the church was forced to put up with this phenomenon. There are three main policies towards prostitution: prohibition (prohibitionism), registration and medical supervision (regulation) and prevention (abolitionism). The first two forms have proven to be ineffective. Historical experience says that only long-term socio-spiritual transformations can solve this problem in society.

Deviance and delinquency

It is necessary to immediately clarify that these two concepts are not absolutely equivalent. They relate to each other as a whole and as a part. Everything is deviant, but not every deviance is a crime. It all depends on the laws that apply in the country. Deviant behavior becomes delinquent only under the influence of the state, represented by its special bodies that monitor the implementation of formal norms.

Adolescent delinquency

The transition period is always difficult. This explains all the difficulties of this age. At this time, character development occurs. Youth delinquency begins with absenteeism from school. Its main cause is often shortcomings in upbringing and problems in the family. Sometimes it can be associated with psychopathologies and character anomalies that prevent them from getting close to other children, which provokes aggression.

The most uncontrollable age is adolescence. Not only the teenager himself does not control his actions, but also parents, teachers, and society. The difficulty lies in the fact that teenagers commit harmful and sometimes criminal acts. This is also called delinquent behavior, forms and examples of which will be discussed on the psychological help website.

Teenagers are difficult because it is no longer possible to come to an agreement with them on the same principles that operated previously. Now the “baby” doesn’t listen, doesn’t obey, and even does the opposite. Protesting and standing up for one's opinion are acceptable forms of teenage behavior that are simply...

Another form of behavior is delinquent, when a teenager no longer just protests, but tries to prove something. Often he makes the evidence available to himself, society and his friends. Like, “I can behave like an adult.” But everyone’s understanding of what an adult does is different.

The most common behavior among teenagers is:

• Early involvement in sexual relations.
• Use of drugs, alcohol, smoking.

Teenagers believe that this behavior makes them adults because older people behave this way. However, in some cases we may be talking about criminal acts, for example, beating a person or breaking glass.

In this way, the teenager shows society that he has matured. Although society itself understands that these actions are illegal, punishable and do not prove anything.

What is delinquent behavior?

The number of juvenile crimes is increasing. What is this connected with? With an inner understanding of who an adult is. After all, this is the main goal of every growing up guy or girl - to grow up. Only some people misunderstand this, which leads to illegal actions. What is delinquent behavior?

In this case, we are talking about an asocial, illegal action, which is aimed at causing harm to others, infringing on their rights, destroying property and social order. This concept comes from the Latin word “delictum”, which means “misconduct”.

In this case, teenagers commit offenses in relation to social norms and rules, the order established in society. Harm is aimed at destroying the social foundation that is accepted. The reasons for this behavior are varied, ranging from troubles in the family to communication with bad people.

It is necessary to distinguish delinquent behavior from deviant behavior. Not every behavior that deviates from social norms is criminal, but every criminal behavior is deviant.

Delinquent behavior is aimed at causing harm to society, and accordingly, it is punished by the state. Depending on the illegality of the offense, the teenager is punished through the courts or with administrative fines. If a teenager commits delinquent acts upon reaching adulthood, then he is called an antisocial person. If his actions are not punished by law, then he is simply an antisocial person.

It seems that all teenagers are criminals. However, different models of behavior must be distinguished. There are teenagers who simply dress brightly, do extravagant hairstyles, laugh loudly and listen to music at night. However, another category of teenagers are those who have promiscuous relationships, use drugs, and commit crimes.

Delinquent behavior is always associated with the law. A teenager or a group of people opposes the entire society. The main problem remains that different actions may or may not be subject to criminal punishment. The teenager commits acts that border on the law. When he crosses these boundaries, then he is punished according to all the rules of the law.

Delinquent and deviant behavior

All teenagers commit actions that are scary and destroy the image of “cute boys and girls” in the eyes of adults. We can say that the actions they perform are ways to find themselves in the world of adults. They used to be little, now they are training to be adults. It becomes obvious that teenagers copy the behavior of adults who commit crimes, drink, smoke, have sex, etc. It’s just that teenagers do not see behind this other behavior that makes a person an adult (for example, making money, caring for one’s neighbor). This is why their behavior is deviant or delinquent.

These concepts should be distinguished. Delinquent and deviant behavior have a common feature - they contradict social rules and foundations. A teenager commits an action that causes harm. He can harm himself, other people, and the entire society.

The difference in these patterns of behavior lies in the extent to which state laws are violated. Roughly, the difference can be outlined as follows:

1. Deviant behavior is actions that contradict the morality, ethics, and ethics of the society in which a person is located.
2. Delinquent behavior is actions that cause physical or material harm to society or an individual, which is punishable by law.

Both behaviors are a consequence of the internal conflict that arises in a teenager who has desires and goals, but must balance his actions with the rules and laws of the state.

1. If a teenager achieves what he wants by violating the norms, etiquette, and standards of society, then his behavior is called deviant.
2. If a teenager asserts himself and becomes an adult through committing acts that are criminal, then his behavior is called delinquent. These actions are regulated by law.

It should be understood that repeated torts (illegal acts) become a habit, making a person a criminal (delinquent) who has constant problems with the law.

Delinquent behavior of adolescents

For teenagers, their friends are their influencers. Parents are already fading into the background, becoming one of the enemies. Communicating with a friend or group of friends forces you to look for common interests. You can follow the path of playing sports, becoming interested in music, or developing your physical strength. However, teenagers who do not have hobbies and interests develop other areas of common activity. This ultimately leads to the emergence of delinquent behavior in adolescents.

Usually children who have no interests or hobbies just hang out somewhere and watch movies. Such an idle image introduces them to bad habits and habits. They gradually begin to smoke, drink, inject drugs, sniff weed, etc. Often in such companies there appear bandits who perceive physical strength as the only means of achieving their goals and self-affirmation.

Depending on the qualities of character, temperament, interests and inclinations, a teenager chooses one path or another. Conditionally delinquent adolescents can be divided into three types:

1. Repentant - they have an urgent need to commit antisocial acts, but then begin to repent because of what they have done.
2. Unscrupulous - they not only feel the need to commit antisocial acts, but also do not feel remorse and do not repent. Often they act in a group where there is a leader who does nothing himself, but only leads the others.
3. Without boundaries - they deliberately go against the rules of society, committing criminal acts. They do not feel the boundary between what is permitted and what is punishable. Their views are cynical, and their actions are the most cruel.

Adolescent delinquency is a social problem, since in many ways the cause of illegal or immoral acts is the people around the teenager:

• The media, the state of the economy, the behavior of adults. Teenagers are impressionable and suggestible. If they see that people commit criminal acts and go unpunished, then they allow themselves to commit them too. If criminals are acquitted, then teenagers expect that they too will be pitied and acquitted if they do something.
• Family. Much depends on the situation in the family of the teenager’s parents or guardians. b, he is not understood, ignored, etc., then he naturally looks for other people who will give him what he wants. Criminals always grow up in dysfunctional families, or rather relationships, where he was constantly belittled, ignored or limited.
• Character qualities and moral values. Every teenager does things that are shocking. However, the limit that a teenager allows himself depends entirely on his character, temperament, views and values ​​that guide him. A teenager will not go against himself.
• Satisfaction of desires. If society does not allow a child to satisfy his desires in acceptable ways, then the teenager will be ready to commit an immoral act. The power of desire in any person is high.
• Availability of hobbies and level of intellectual development. If a teenager has no interests, hobbies and hobbies, then his leisure time becomes monotonous, monotonous, and boring. Illegal behavior somehow adds variety to his life. It was noted that the intellectual level of criminals is much lower than that of deviant teenagers. The easier the information that does not require intellectual comprehension, the better for those who are ready to use it.

Delinquent behavior in adolescents can be prevented. However, this prevention should be carried out starting from the birth of the child.

1. Firstly, you should deal with the upbringing and mental development of the child.
2. Secondly, the child should be interested in useful activities. It’s better to have a hobby that seems stupid than for a child to have nothing to do.
3. Thirdly, self-esteem should be increased, respect and attention should be paid to the child. All this will contribute to a conscious choice of friends in the future.
4. Fourthly, the child should be encouraged for good actions and offered options for achieving goals.
5. Fifthly, one should be accustomed to work, creating an atmosphere where the child will feel comfortable engaging in socially acceptable activities.

The influence of society, the media, schools and teachers should not be excluded. The child will encounter negative manifestations of people and the world. However, if the right values ​​and morals are instilled in a child, then they will control him and stop him when adolescence comes.

Forms of delinquent behavior

The most common and severe forms of delinquent behavior are:

• Addiction.
• Crime.
• Prostitution.

Criminal behavior of adolescents forces specialists to consider the child’s level of involvement in society, his involvement in various hobbies, as well as the prerequisites that prompted such behavior. There is no point in hoping for the complete disappearance of crime in society. Most likely, the existing foundations are not yet capable of nurturing and nurturing a healthy society.

The drug-addicted behavior of adolescents forces us to consider the marital status of the drug addict’s relatives, as well as his level of happiness. We can say that people who feel unhappy become drug addicts. The feeling of euphoria they experience after taking a dose is the only way they can relax and enjoy themselves. Sometimes teenagers indulge in drugs out of interest and curiosity.

Prostitution refers to sexual relations with people with whom a person is not in a marital relationship, does not have any love feelings for them, and receives payment for it. The appearance of prostitution among teenagers may be a consequence of the desire to earn money, self-doubt and low self-esteem, lack of support from relatives, and a form of receiving love.

Examples of delinquent behavior

If we consider examples of delinquent behavior, we can divide them into three groups:

1. Administrative violations. This can be any actions that disturb the peace of citizens: the use of obscene language, loud music at night, violation of traffic rules, insulting others, prostitution, drinking alcohol in public places, distributing pornography, etc.
2. Disciplinary offense. This includes actions that interfere with or violate work obligations: absenteeism without reason, coming to school/work in an intoxicated state, using drugs in the workplace, insulting schoolchildren, teachers, etc.
3. Crime. This includes actions that are punishable by law: theft, rape, vandalism, murder, kidnapping, fraud, car theft, trafficking in psychotropic substances or drugs, terrorism. If a person has not reached the age of majority, his punishment will be community service, referral to a specialized educational institution, or a severe reprimand.

Bottom line

Teenagers are especially dangerous if their actions are illegal. They do not yet fully understand the full responsibility of their own actions. They also succumb to outside influence when a teenager is controlled for selfish purposes. The result can be sad, since a teenager who does not change his behavior becomes a criminal, constantly facing law enforcement and punishment.

Parents should not miss the first moments of the appearance of delinquent behavior. If deviant behavior violates moral and ethical values, for which there is no punishment, then criminal actions turn the child into a future criminal. Parents should strictly stop this. If necessary, you can seek psychological help when the causes of delinquent behavior and ways to eliminate it are identified.