Juvenile Delinquency: Genetic or Environmental Essay -- Argumentative

jejune Delinquency Genetic or Environmental Oh, well, Ill complete up in jail anyway Its in my genes This was the heartfelt declaration of a 15 year-old teen. Was it inevitable that he follow in his arrests footsteps on the path of delinquent behavior and subsequent brushes with the law? Was juvenile delinquency actually a by-product of genetics or could it be a product of behavioral sink- that environmental abyss that absorbs so many teens? Definition of delinquencyAlthough arguable on both sides, environment distinctly has the lead in determining juvenile behavior. The very definition of juvenile delinquency states Delinquency is a major social problem. Delinquents are likely to aim from a background of poverty, to belong to a racial or ethnic group that experiences discrimination, and to live in an urban area. One theory is that kidren from the poorest part of purchase order lack opportunities to develop in socially acceptable ways and turn to delinquency as a subs titute. Another theory is that delinquency is learned behavior, acquired by associating with people who have little respect for the law. A third explanation is that juveniles who are caught and labeled delinquent by the authorities are likely to act to break the law because that label makes it harder for them to be law-abiding. (Academic American Encyclopedia,1995,Vol 11, p. 478) Nowhere in this definition is the term genetics or heredity addressed. So, are teenagers predestined to bewilder delinquents? Definitely not Each teen has the same opportunity to succeed. His day-to-day environment defines what he will do with this opportunity. Impact of Family on new-fangleds A child is a blank slate at birth, eager to absorb and le... ... Allyn and BaconRosenberg, et al(2002). Juvenile Delinquency A Sociological Approach. Biological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency, ( 5th ed, pp. 109)capital of Massachusetts Allyn and Bacon Bynam & Thompson(2002). Juvenile Delinquency A Soc iological Approach. Biological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency, ( 5th ed, pp. 109)Boston Allyn and BaconSchauss et al.,(2002). Juvenile Delinquency A Sociological Approach. Biological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency, ( 5th ed, pp. 110)Boston Allyn and BaconLonsdale & Shamberger,(2002). Juvenile Delinquency A Sociological Approach. Biological Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency, ( 5th ed, pp. 111)Boston Allyn and BaconRabin & McCall,(2002). Juvenile Delinquency A Sociological Approach. Biological Psychogenic Explanations of Juvenile Delinquency, ( 5th ed, pp. 138)Boston Allyn and Bacon