Juvenile Delinquency: Genetic or Environmental Essay -- Argumentative

juvenile wrong Genetic or Environmental Oh, well, Ill end 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 fathers 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 clearly has the transcend in determining juvenile behavior. The very definition of juvenile delinquency states Delinquency is a major social problem. Delinquents are likely to come 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 children from the poorest part of society escape opportunities to develop in socially acceptable ways and turn to delinquency as a substitute. Anot her theory is that delinquency is learned behavior, acquired by associating with pot 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 continue to come across 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 become delinquents? decidedly 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 Juveniles 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, ( fifth ed, pp. 109)Boston Allyn and Bacon Bynam & Thompson(2002). Juvenile Delinquency A Sociological Approach. Biologi cal 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