Contributing Factors of Juvenile Delinquency among Youth of Balochistan

Samreena Rose, Saima Ambreen, Waseem Fayyaz*

Abstract
The main aim of the current research is to identify the causal factors of
juvenile delinquency among youth of Balochistan, Pakistan. This study was
conducted in Quetta, Balochistan and is based on qualitative research
technique. The method of data collection was Focus Group Discussions
(FGDs), which were conducted with six groups (N=45) including juvenile
delinquents (n=6), Law enforcement personnel (n=6), NGO service
providers (n=6), university teachers (n=5) and students (n= 22). Causes of
juvenile delinquency were identified from the gathered information by
using thematic analysis. The analysis involved open, axial, and selective
coding. The main causal factors of juvenile delinquency in Balochistan that
emerged from this analysis were social influence, personality, school
related factors, and financial factors. This identification of prevailing
context bound causal factors of delinquency can help in devising
indigenous strategies to prevent and in turn control rising delinquency rate
in Balochistan.

Key Words: Juvenile, Delinquency FGDs, Thematic analysis, open coding,
axial coding, selective coding.