Legal Issues

One of the growing problems facing society today is the problem of juvenile delinquency. Unlike decades ago, children were generally very obedient and respectful to their parents, teachers, and society in general, but children today are actually deviating from these accustomed values. This new generation of young people are becoming more exposed and inclined to use addictive substance, to participate in riots, to roam the streets, and to steal and violate the laws. Like any other social problem, however, juvenile delinquency can be checked and prevented. Unfortunately, the irresponsibility of many parents these days is only making the problem even worse, seeing that there has been a constant increase in juvenile delinquency incidents in the past years. Parents are the ultimate guardians and role models of their children. Therefore, it is very important for parents to be always aware of their childrens behavior, as well as for the members of the community to report to these parents the delinquent behaviors of their children.

Facts and Issue
It will be very distressing to me if I find the door of my house open and discover my sons friend inside smelling like marijuana and looking in my kitchen drawer with a lock pick next to him together with some of my jewelries. It would even be more distressing if this trespassing individual is a minor. In relation to the given problem, the most appropriate thing for me to do is to immediately call the boys parents and narrate to them what had just taken place and my opinion on what the boy was doing inside my house. It is important to recognize the duties of the parents in ensuring the mental and physical welfare of their children. Thus, it is better to call the attention of the parents first rather than to immediately report the case to the law enforcement officers.

Why the Parents
Family is the core unit that is in charge with the caring of the wellbeing of their children (United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights OHCHR, 2007). However, many well-intentioned parents nowadays are still not adequately guiding and supervising their children towards leading productive, happy, and healthy lives. In this case, it becomes the duty of the members of the community to make an effort to assist these parents by informing them of what their children have done or are doing when they are away. Because of the important role of parents in the growth of their children, society must give assistance to these unaware parents in their responsibilities as parents, including their duty to offer protection and care and ensure the mental and physical safety of their children. In other words, the parents must be given the first opportunity to make appropriate actions with regard to their childrens management and care.

Violence, irresponsible sexual practices, drugs, and gangs have taken grips in different communities and represent growing threats to the safety and health of the young people. Unfortunately, many parents are still not minding these threats or are still expressing agitation with the idea of checking what their children are up to. Children can be prevented from being exposed to these threats, or put back on track if they are already exposed, if proper supervision and care are provided by the parents, such as implementing a curfew, compelling their children to attend school, and in some cases, counseling them (Prevent Delinquency Organization, 2010). Accordingly, if parents are informed of the consequences of their negligence, then they will be given the opportunity to adjust their current parental practices and will have a chance to personally intervene with the problem.

Why Not The Police
In the given problem, the juvenile has certainly committed at least one crime of trespassing, aside from others that need to be proven, like illegal use of prohibited drug, attempted robbery, etc. However, despite these delinquencies, the way of dealing with the boy cannot be the same the way that society deals with adult members of the public, who are fully accountable for their personal behaviors. The parents of the delinquent boy are the most capable people who can efficiently provide and monitor the suitable type of management approach. By giving the parents the opportunity to manage their aberrant child, he can be rehabilitated before he reaches adulthood without being publicly branded as delinquent.

One of the most striking causes of juvenile delinquency is public statement (Juvenile Delinquency, 2008). A child reported for allegedly committing delinquent behaviors could be labeled as delinquent even if the child is eventually proven innocent. Unfortunately, this circumstance could instigate the child to eventually perform further criminal behaviors. Sad to say, the branding of a juvenile as delinquent often results when the juvenile is immediately reported to the police for an alleged criminal behavior. This is because police officers are authorized to bring the juvenile before a court judge if the probable cause of delinquency is established.

The successful rehabilitation of all young people necessitates more than the intervention of police, laws, and implementation of punishment. The treatment approach to be imposed to a juvenile offender should not be punishment, but more of a reform. Caring for children requires the love of parents through spiritual, social, and material guidance. When children receive proper guidance and care from responsible parents, they will be prevented from becoming delinquents, and eventually can carry out their full potential as individuals and present their talents and abilities for the benefit of others.

Reporting the delinquent acts of the boy to his parents is not a guarantee that he be guided properly, but everyday events reveal that law enforcement efforts to prevent delinquency are likewise not one hundred percent successful. Choosing between the two options, I would rather call the attention of the boys parents about the boys delinquent acts than report the incident to the police. The influence of parents on their childrens behaviors is very powerful and should not be taken for granted. Excellent relations between children and parents are strongly associated with the childrens sociable behavior and family advice. Supervision can also prevent juvenile delinquency. In view of all of these reasons, I will talk to the boys parents and give them the opportunity to correct their childs behaviors.

Conclusion
Juvenile delinquency prevention is an indispensable part of crime prevention in society. Fortunately, like many of the other social problems juvenile delinquency can be checked and prevented. Accordingly, in the given problem, I will immediately call the boys parents and tell them what had just taken place and my opinion on what the boy was doing inside my house. Family is the core unit that is responsible for caring of the children. However, if parents fall short in upholding their role to their children, community members must not hesitate to lend a hand to these parents. Accordingly, if parents are informed of the consequences of their oversight, they will be given the opportunity to adjust their current parental practices and personally intervene with their childrens delinquency problem. Successful rehabilitation of all young people necessitates more than the intervention of police, laws, and implementation of punishment. Rehabilitation necessitates family advice and supervision. For this reason, I will talk to the boys parents concerning the incident and give them the opportunity to correct their childs deviant behaviors.