Author: Harshal Chhabra, Student at Gujarat National Law University
Co-Author: Rudraksh Sharma, Student at Gujarat National Law University
ABSTRACT
Every child is born pure and if they receive loving care and attention, they will grow up in a positive manner. The holistic development of children, encompassing their physical, mental, moral, and spiritual aspects, prepares them to achieve their full potential. Conversely, unfavorable circumstances, lack of basic necessities, negative company, and other forms of abuse can lead a child to become a delinquent. Today, children exhibit strong preferences and opinions, demonstrating a level of maturity at a young age due to evolving societal trends. These characteristics also make them more susceptible to criminal influences, such as abusers, drug dealers, and human traffickers.
Juvenile delinquency refers to the involvement of teenagers, typically under the age of 18, in unlawful behavior that would be considered a crime. When a child partakes in actions that go against the law and are considered unacceptable by society, they are categorized as delinquent. Therefore, a “juvenile” or “child” refers to an individual who has not yet reached adulthood and commits an offense before reaching the legal age of maturity, which is 18 years. The term “Juvenile Delinquents” or “Children in Conflict with the Law” pertains to individuals under 18 who have had contact with the juvenile justice system due to committing or being suspected of committing a crime.
Various theories have been proposed to explain the causes of such delinquency. For instance, the anomie theory suggests that juveniles resort to illegal means because they lack the resources to achieve happiness through legal avenues or because their goals are unattainable within the bounds of the law. Another theory, known as the subculture theory, proposes that juveniles who do not conform to societal norms seek validation within a subculture of like-minded individuals. These theories, among others, attempt to shed light on the reasons behind juvenile delinquency.
