Why Children Need Positive Programs Outside of School
By
Kelli Buford
Juvenile Delinquency 331A

Abstract

In today’s society juvenile crime is a common problem. In an effort to curb the menacing behavior of some youth, there are more and more extracurricular programs that are being offered to children today than there ever were in the past. Today’s youth have a better chance at future success. With the help of the community, families, and school systems, the problem of juvenile crime has a chance to be combatted. Over the next few pages I intend to examine the trend and nature of juvenile crime in today’s society. I will further explore national and local programs that are available to our youth and their families to assist with a more positive environment and the hopes of future success.

Juvenile crime is nothing new to the United States. In fact, in the 1800’s the United States saw a need for a separate judicial system in order to give fair and equal treatment to juvenile offenders. In 1899, the first juvenile court in the United States was established in Cook County, Illinois. The idea quickly caught on, and within twenty-five years, most states had set up juvenile court systems. While the juvenile system was being implemented throughout the country, juvenile delinquency was continuing to rise. Juvenile crime consists of an array of offenses, most being the same as adult offenses. The nature of crimes ranges from petty theft, burglary, drugs and gun charges, all the way up to include homicide. Statistics show that Violent crime committed by juvenile offenders peaks during the after school hours. Nearly one-third (29%) of all violent crime committed by juvenile offenders occurs between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. In comparison, nearly the same proportion of violent crime committed by adults (26%) occurs between the hours of 8 p.m. and 12 a.m. Whatever the nature of the crime, juvenile delinquency has proven to be apparently a serious problem for this country. When one thinks of a juvenile you think of a child or young adult under the age of 18. At this age group, it is common knowledge that children should be attending school during the day and busying themselves with homework or chores in the evenings. In my days of growing up we went to school, came home and did our homework, completed our chores, and only then could you go and play outdoors or be involved in any extracurricular activities. In those days there were more stay at home mothers that were able to spend more time with or monitor their children’s activities more closely. In the 1980’s there was a large surge in juvenile delinquency and America began to see more juvenile offenders