Examination of Juveniles’ views about the Socioeconomic Factors Causing Juvenile Delinquency in Pakistan: A Case Study of District Jail Mardan

Muhammad Saeed1, Asif Khushhal2, ZahidUllah3 & Muhammad Zahid4

Abstract
This study aims to examine the views of the delinquent juveniles about the socioeconomic factors causing juvenile delinquency. The study participants for this research were recruited through purposive sampling from the district jail Mardan. Data were elicited through a structured interview schedule from n=150 out of N=250 juvenile offenders.The data were quantitatively analyzed using the Chi-square test.The results show a strong association of juvenile delinquency with poverty and impoverished status of the family (p=.001); the low living standard of the family (p=.005); unemployment and the lack of resources to sustain life (p=.018); unlimited lust of youth for gaining the material wealth (p=.000), adopting illegitimate ways of fulfilling basic needs (p=.006); lack of recreational facilities and quality education (p=.001), lack of proper care, supervision, protection and abandonment from the
family (p=.019); violent community environments, belligerent cultural values, frequent domestic violence, and land disputes (p=.003); forced and bonded child labor (p=.006).Furthermore, this study identifies the lack of social and financial support system for destitute parents,which pushes their children to indulge in delinquent acts. Therefore, this study recommends the need for social inclusion programs, counseling, and skilled-based education for delinquents and the children of broken families. Similarly, awareness campaigns,provision of recreational facilities,and implementation of anti-child labor and child protection laws could help weed out juvenile delinquency’s menace and mitigate the potential criminals of the future.

Keywords: Juvenile, Delinquency, Social Factors, Economic Factors, Mardan,
Pakistan