The news is rife with grizzly murders, violent acts and theft. It’s easy to view the hardened perpetrators of these crimes at face value, but there’s a tragic reality linking almost all adult criminals: the seeds of their actions were planted in troubled childhoods, growing in an atmosphere of factors often beyond their control. The best hope for lowering adult crime is by intervening in the lives of troubled children and youth before they can even be tried as juvenile delinquents. Here are 3 effective programs to prevent juvenile delinquency.

1. After School Recreation Programs

Have you ever heard the phrase “idle hands are the devil’s play things?” One of the contributing factors of adult criminal activity is a lack of integrative involvement. In fact, government studies assert that one of the two key assets needed by all youth is “learning/doing,” so it’s unspurprising that the absence of nourishing involvement often leads to misbehavior. After school recreation programs are a great way of encouraging mental stimulation and constructive youth engagement, paving the way for healthy mental and social development. 

2. Mentoring Programs

While behavioral problems can stem from any number of factors, social influence is often chief among them. Youth tend to fixate on and idolize older siblings, parents and other strong presences in their lives, so the absence of these models or the negative behaviors of existing examples can play a pivotal role in their unhealthy development. 

An effective antidote to poor role models and examples of dysfunctional behavior is a strong, positive role model. Mentoring programs are crucial for at-risk youth in search of guidance and encouragement, and can have a profound influence on the trajectory of their lives. 

3. Social Competence Promotion Programs

Social competence promotion programs seek to involve youth who display antisocial and isolative behaviors, which are often precursors to juvenile delinquency. By focusing on the improvement of social skills and relational health, these programs help at-risk youth achieve a sense of social success and belonging. Equipped with these new skills, juveniles are far more likely to avoid delinquency; instead experiencing healthy growth and thriving.

We Can Help You Prevent Juvenile Delinquency

The Law Offices of Mark Catanzaro are devoted to seeking justice and reducing crime. We understand that the sources of adult crime can often be traced back to childhood and early adolescence, so we place special importance on juvenile defense. We have extensive experience dealing with juvenile cases, and will work with you in finding effective solutions to prevent juvenile delinquency.