Crime & Risk factors

By Tamburai

Muchinguri

Introduction

As they grow up, children are exposed to a number of factors which may increase their risk for problems such as abusing drugs or engaging in delinquent behavior.

These factors may be referred to as risk factors.

Definition

Risk factors are any circumstances that may increase children’s likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors.

Risk factors function in a cumulative fashion, that is, the greater the number of risk factors, the greater the likelihood that children will engage in delinquent or other risky behavior.

There is evidence that problem behaviors associated with risk factors tend to cluster.

Cont’d

For example, delinquency and violence cluster with other problems, such as drug abuse, teen pregnancy and school misbehavior.

There is however a difference between root cause and risk factors.

A cause-effect mindset makes it too easy to assume that the existence of a risk factor inevitably leads to criminality.

Cont’d

For example, poverty is a factor in criminal behavior. However many poor people do not engage in crime.

It therefore does not mean that if you are poor you can commit crimes but chances of you committing crimes are high.

Categories of risk behaviors

Risk factors are organized into 5 main categories:

o Individualo Familyo Schoolo Peer groupo community

Cont’d

Individual risk factors. Antisocial behavior and alienation/ general

delinquency involvement, drug dealing Gun possession/illegal gun ownership or carrying Favorable attitudes towards drug use, early use of

alcohol/ drug use Early onset of aggression/ violence Victimization and exposure to violence {value

judgment is distorted}

Cont’d

Early sexual involvement Mental disorder/mental health problem

Family risk factors

Family history of problem behavior/parent criminality

Family management problems/poor parent supervision and or monitoring

Poor family attachment/bonding Child victimization and maltreatment Pattern of high family conflict Family violence

Cont’d

Broken home Sibling anti social behavior Parental use of physical punishment/harsh

and or erratic discipline practices Low parent education level /literacy Maternal depression

School Risk Factors

Low academic achievement Negative attitude toward school/low bonding/low

school attachment/ low commitment to school. Truancy/frequent absences Suspension Dropping out of school. Inadequate school climate/poorly organized and

functioning schools/negative labeling by teachers Identified as learning disabled

Peer Risk factors

Gang involvement/gang membership Association with delinquent/ aggressive

peers Peer rejection

Community risk factors

Availability /use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in neighborhood

Availability of firearms High crime neighborhood Community instability Low community attachment Economic deprivation/poverty/residence in a disadvantaged

neighborhood Neighborhood youth in trouble Feeling unsafe in the neighborhood Social and physical disorder/disorganized neighborhood