Dear Editor,
Hardly a day passes without numerous reports of crimes committed by young people, mostly males. The reaction of authorities is usually to tell us how much money is being spent on programmes to curb juvenile delinquency. Unfortunately, no amount of money will be effective, unless we understand the nature of the problem, and address it in a systematic and comprehensive manner. Has the relevant minister even taken the time to read or study the problem? Even casually?
The experts say that juvenile delinquents are in one of two categories; they are either lifelong offenders, or adolescent onset offenders. And in order to address the issue, we must understand the origins, causes and differences, then react accordingly.
Lifelong offenders are those who exhibit anti-social behaviour from a very early age. Causes may include dysfunctional homes; poverty, causing physical and mental underdevelopment; exposure to domestic abuse; and dysfunctional families. These problems may be compounded by unemployment, emotional trauma and lack of education and positive role models.
The other category of juvenile delinquents, are the adolescent onset offenders. According to psychologists, these individuals exhibit anti-social behaviours, beginning only at puberty.
The experts say that this may be the result of poor parenting, unemployment, lack of coping skills, exposure to drugs, poor peer influence, and other factors.
Although psychologists, judges and other experts agree that there are two main categories of juvenile delinquent offenders, they all say that three factors are the primary causes of youth delinquency: poverty, poor family relationships, and transience (moving frequently from place to place).
The recognised experts tell us that certain risk factors, such as drugs, alcohol, abuse, and poverty, increase the likelihood of juvenile delinquency and crime. While opposing protective factors, such as education, strong family and positive role models, help to keep young people on the straight and narrow.
Editor, Guyana has an entire ministry of government which is supposed to address many of these matters. So what is the Ministry of Social Services doing? And what is the rest of government doing about this major problem?
Editor, I have been able to find numerous articles, copious data, multiple studies and sober recommendations. I therefore find it difficult to believe that our government cannot access this same information, to inform their actions in this regard.
Throwing money at a problem does nothing; an informed approach is required. Perhaps, some of our leaders need to spend more time reading.
Yours faithfully,
Mark DaCosta