Family Environment as a Predictor of Adolescents Delinquency

Abstract

The family is one of the major socialization agencies for children and its environment shapes the foundation of each and every human individual. The study attempts to explain the role of family environment in developing Juvenile delinquency among adolescents. Data for this study were collected form a juvenile observation home in the state of Odisha. The data revealed the following significant relationships: (1) most delinquent children come from the lowest socio-economic layer of society; (2) most of the juvenile delinquents come from homes where parents have low paid jobs which keep them away from home for long periods. (3) Most of the children were left unattended by family members and they themselves make arrangements for their daily food; (4) there were very low or no scope for moral education of the delinquent children; (5) due to poor family communication and cohesion among the family members there were more opportunities for children to engage in delinquent activities. Hence, the paper suggests for taking necessary policy decisions regarding strengthening and protecting family solidarity and values for reducing delinquency and engaging adolescents constructively for better productivity for themselves and for the society.