Mental illnesses or other psychological problems like depression, frustration, aggression or hyper behavior showed by the parents can make the child feel deprived and inferior among friends. Footnote 1. These factors undoubtedly contribute to crime, but they do not have as much influence as poverty coupled with poor education. Some of the risk factors associated with family are static, while others are dynamic. This is one of the major causes of juvenile crime, particularly violent juvenile crime. 29 (1952-1953) THE ECONOMIC FACTOR IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY Ernest W. Burgess The author is well known as Professor of Sociology in the University of Chicago. General, 2001 (chapter 4)). For example, poverty is often seen as a risk factor, but the presence of supportive, involved parents may mediate the negative influence of poverty to lessen a youth’s chance of becoming delinquent. At Y.C.T.C, the study revealed that over 70%; more than 40 out of 55 of the inmates were Let us see what these are: #1 Single parents. Keywords: Youth crime, juvenile delinquency, Kenya POVERTY AND CRIME AMONG THE YOUTH Various observations indicate that most of the youth are in crime because of poverty, which drove them into criminal acts for survival (Prior & Paris, 2005). The environment that a teen grows up in is one of the major contributing factors of his becoming a delinquent. Criminal psychology degree programs look at each of these factors to understand how they affect youth and how these negative influences can be curtailed. Children living in poverty have the same wants and needs of other children but may be living without. Having experienced persistent poverty is related to a higher level of involvement in delinquency." There are many factors that contribute to juvenile crime, including, but not limited to, poor education, low school attendance, peer pressure, disadvantaged socioeconomic status, and substance abuse. The purpose of this study is to explore the contributing factors of juvenile delinquency. Available scientific knowledge indicates that, depending on context and circumstances, families can be both a risk factor and a protective factor for juvenile delinquency. L. Criminology & Police Sci. (2002) This makes sense when you look at how someone living in poverty is treated. Psychological problems in parents or siblings can also be a risk factor of juvenile delinquency. Examples of individual risk factors include substance abuse, antisocial behavior, cognitive disabilities, hyperactivity, and physical problems. Factors leading to juvenile delinquency. Another factor positively correlated with juvenile delinquency is a teen’s regular exposure to violence. Ernest W. Burgess, The Economic Factor in Juvenile Delinquency, 43 J. Crim. Why Study Risk Factors? Exposure to violence takes many forms: abuse at the hands of a parent or another household member, or witnessing domestic violence between two other household members. Juvenile Justice Systems Contribute to Cycle of Poverty in the US ‘Delinquent by Reason of Poverty’ is an excellent article on the history of the juvenile justice system in the US and how the philosophy behind it has contributed to deficiencies today. Risk factors associated with a higher likelihood of juvenile delinquency can be organized into four categories: Individual . Risk factors. When trying to solve the problem of juvenile crime most people are quick to suggest increasing law enforcement and creating harsher prison sentences.