IMPACT OF FAMILIAL ENVIRONMENT ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

I. Rationale

We believe that shaping of the child’s character starts at home. As the child spends most of
the time in the family his early life experiences in that family lay the ground work for the type of
future behavior and the development of attitudes values and lifestyle. Parents teach children to
respect the rights of others, control their unacceptable behavior and behave properly. Thus, every
member of the family needs to work hand in hand to make their home a wholesome and
harmonious place as its atmosphere and conditions will greatly affect their child’s development.
Conversely, families can also teach children aggressive, antisocial, and violent behavior. In
adults’ lives, family responsibilities may provide an important stabilizing force. Given these
possibilities, family life may directly contribute to the development of delinquent and criminal
tendencies.

In today’s world, more children are engaging in crimes and they are getting younger and
bolder. From petty street crimes, they are now engaging in heinous crimes that would send them
to juvenile detention facilities where they can be subjected to rehabilitation programs. These
children who put on facilities are more vulnerable to human-rights abuse both on their family
and people around them. Hence, these children need effective strategies and intervention to
address their behavior at an early stage and able to cope with their environment.

In the Philippines, statistics show that most of the Philippines’ young offenders – “children in
conflict with the law” – whose age is under below 18 years old come from poor families. About
60 percent of juvenile crimes fall under crimes against property. These include theft, robbery,
malicious mischief and estafa, statistics by the PNP from 2012 to 2015 revealed. This was
supported by Karapatan Secretary-General Cristina Palabay who said that “Children in conflict
with the law belong to poor families, they would resort to antisocial activities, turn to drugs or
commit petty crimes, because they are not in school where they belong.”
 On the other hand, crimes against persons—which include rape, attempted rape, acts of
lasciviousness, physical injuries, murder, attempted murder, seduction, grave threats, abduction
and homicide—constitute 36 percent of the crimes committed by children covering the same
period.

In addition, 4 percent of the juvenile crimes from 2012 to 2015 involved violations against
special laws, such as Republic Act (RA) 9165 (prohibited drugs), Presidential Decree 1866
(illegal possession of firearms) and Presidential Decree 1602 (illegal gambling).

Studies have shown that good relationships with even one adult caregiver, marked by
warmth, involvement, and absence of severe criticism, had substantial protective effects against
the development of antisocial behavior among high-risk children (Kazdin, 1987). Thus, this
study focus on the family factors associated with juvenile delinquency to enhance the design and
development of effective crime prevention programs for vulnerable families. These programs can
help educate parents on how large a role they have in their children’s life.

II. Purpose of Study (Specific Objectives)

The main purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between family functioning
dimensions and juvenile delinquency. Specifically, this study intends:

1. To know the socio demographics characteristics of juvenile delinquents

2. To know the family functioning dimensions of juvenile delinquents grouped by offense

committed

3. To examine whether differences in adolescent delinquency exist for adolescents grouped

by family type, gender and socio economic status

4. To examine whether differences in family functioning dimensions exist for adolescents

grouped by family type, gender and socio economic status
 III. Research Questions

The study aims to determine the relationship between family functioning dimensions and
offense committed by adolescents. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

a. Gender
b. Socio economic status (parental education and occupation)
c. Family Type (both parents, father only, mother only, step-parent, relatives and others)

2. Does a relationship exist between family functioning dimensions and adolescent

delinquency?

3. Do the adolescents differ on delinquency when grouped by family type, gender and socio
economic status?

4. Do the adolescents differ on family functioning when grouped by gender, socio economic
status and family type?

IV. Methods to be used to answer the research questions

Research Design

This study used a cross-sectional research design to describe characteristics of a

population or phenomenon being studied. In addition, this type of research gathers information
from a sample which has been identified for a predetermined population at just one point in time.
This study used a self-administered questionnaire to collect information from participants about
themselves using paper and pen techniques. The information collected attempts to determine
whether, or to what extent a relationship exists between family functioning dimensions and
delinquency.

Samples and Sampling Techniques

The researcher used purposive sampling in which criteria’s are being set and was the
basis in choosing the population of this study. Fifty (50) juvenile delinquents who committed
criminal acts ages 12-17 years were the respondents of this study. They are currently detained in
Molave Youth Home and Bahay Pag Asa in Quezon City. Participants were adjudicated for
crimes against people, property crimes and drug/alcohol offenses.

Research Instrument

The researcher used Demographic survey questionnaire to know respondent’s gender,

socio economic status and family type. Another instrument that was used is the Family
Assessment Device that require all respondents to answer the same questions and was scored in a
consistent manner. This questionnaire is a 60-item, self-report instrument designed to measure
seven dimensions of family functioning- Problem Solving, Communication, Roles, Affective
Responses, Affective Involvement, Behavior Control and General Functioning. The items in
these questionnaires were close-ended and focused on adolescent’s perception of dimensions of
family functioning. In addition, other information like offenses they were committed came from
records of the Center and through a survey.

Data Gathering Procedures

The researcher used standardized questionnaire in gathering information from the

respondents and to describe their perception on their family dimensions. Parents of the
respondents signed an informed consent on behalf of their children while students are given
assent form from acknowledging their willingness to participate in this study and their
understanding of the nature of the study. The test administration was conducted from June to
October 2019 in a close room to protect participant’s privacy and minimize interruptions.
 Another data collection tool is survey containing questions related to personal and
identity information and by reviewing their documents and records to know the offenses they
were committed.

Data Analysis

Data was analyzed through the application of the following statistical data analysis
approaches:

1. Descriptive statistical data analysis approach was used for determining the following
measurements:
a. Frequencies (F)
b. Percentages (%)
c. Mean of Score (MS)
d. Standards deviations (SD)

2. Inferential statistical data analysis approach: This approach was performed through the
application of the following methods:

a. T-test used to determine whether there is a significant difference between the means of
two groups

b. One - way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to to test if two or more groups
differ from each other significantly in one or more characteristics.

V. Working Bibliography

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adolescents referring Juvenile Delinquency: A Qualitative Approach. Science
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int.com/pdf/636297555711601926.pdf

2. Abella, JL. (2016) Extent of the Factors Influencing the Delinquent Acts among Children
in Conflict with the Law. Journal of Child and Adolescent Behavior. doi:10.4172/2375-
4494.1000288

3. Dedmon, R. ( 2017). Roles of Family and School in Preventing Juvenile Delinquency.

Retrieved from: http://www.easybib.com/reference/guide/apa/website

4. Essays, UK. (November 2018). Family Effects On Juvenile Delinquency. Retrieved from
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delinquency-psychology-essay.php?vref=1

5. Farrington, D. P. Family Influences on Delinquency. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, pp.

203-217. New York, NY: Springer. Retrieved from:
http://samples.jbpub.com/9780763760564/60564_CH10_Springer.pdf

6. Naaraayan S. (2017). Effect of family factors on juvenile delinquency. Research Gate.

Retrieved from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320666159_Effect_of_family_factors_on_juve
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7. Nourollah, Fatemeh and Farhad. (2015). A Study of Factors Affecting Juvenile

Delinquency. Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal. Vol. 8 (March Spl Edition), 25-30.
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8. Rathinabalan and Naaraayan. (2017). Effect of family factors on juvenile delinquency.

International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, pp. 2017-2082. doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20174735
9. Verrecchia and Wood. (2017). Family Environment and Delinquency: Impressions of the
People Doing the Work. Journal of Applied Juvenile Justice Services. Retrieved from:
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10. Vidal et.al (2017). Maltreatment, Family Environment, and Social Risk Factors:
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