SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ABUJA, NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR SOCIAL WORK INTERVENTION

Christian C. Iyiani (PhD), Paulinus Sunday Okah, Henry T. Ajibo, Ikpe Ibenekwu

Abstract


This study examined the socio-cultural factors that influence juvenile delinquency among secondary school students in Abuja. Juvenile delinquency refers to a large variety of disapproved behaviour of children and adolescents, which society frowns at and for what some admonishment, punishment or coercive measures are justified in the public interest. Delinquent behaviour is a major problem among secondary school students which gives rise to truancy, fighting, substance abuse, crime, etc. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. Questionnaire and In-depth Interview Guide were the instruments for data collection. The sample size for the study comprises 210 respondents. The findings of the study revealed that a significant number of the respondents were aware of delinquent behaviour. Furthermore, the respondents indicated that place of residence (82.8%), poverty, peer pressure (73.0%), parenting style (64.7%) and family size (64.7%) influence delinquent behaviour. The study also shows that most of the students have engaged in the delinquent act. The study recommends that there is a need for secondary schools in Nigeria to adopt zero tolerance for delinquent behaviour. Social workers should engage in community education and sensitization on juvenile delinquency in families, religious places, communities, schools, and strategic measure to abate and eradicate the menace.


Keywords


Socio-cultural factors, juvenile delinquency, secondar school students, social work intervention, Abuja.

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