You are on page 1of 30

1

PREVAILING FACTORS THAT LEADS TO DELINQUENCY OF JUVENILE IN

BALAGUER ST. MARKET SITE, DARAGA, ALBAY

INTRODUCTION

Juvenile Delinquency became one of the problems of law enforcement nowadays.

It is difficult to handle because of the special procedures that is made in dealing with

minor offenders. Some are urged to commit crimes such as violation of curfew laws,

truancy, vagrancy and etc. because of their personal reasons. Such reasons are being

identified by a social worker who deals with a child in conflict with law because of the

law that protects juvenile from being punished same as adult offenders. This study aims

to know the reasons behind on why does a child commit such unlawful acts, what

possible factors provokes them to commit delinquent acts and what can be the solution to

such delinquent acts.

Delinquent children belong to that category of exceptional children who exhibit

considerable deviation in terms of their social adjustment and are consequently also

labelled as socially deviant or socially handicapped. They are found to possess criminal

tendencies and usually indulge in antisocial behaviour. In this sense, they are very much

like criminals and antisocial elements.

'Crime' and 'delinquency' are legal terms and their meaning varies from country to

country and even from one state to another in the same country. In India, persons ageing

21 years or more are convicted by a court for violating the provisions of Indian Penal
2

Code (IPC) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) are termed as a criminal. Similarly,

a minor individual in the age group of 7 to 18 if convicted by a court for violating the

provisions of the Children's Act, the IPC and the CrPC, is termed a delinquent

(Vijayanath J. 2010).

Individuals in the age group of 18 and 21 who violate the provisions of I.P.C and

Cr.P.C are midway between criminals and delinquents and are labelled 'young' or

'youthful' offenders. After the trial by the court, they are sentenced to be sent either to an

institution or to prisons depending on the seriousness or the nature and circumstances of

their crimes (Vijayanath J. 2010).

The individuals below the age of seven, even if they commit such offences as are

covered legally by the term delinquency, are not labelled as delinquents and are termed

problem children, because it is felt that they are not mature enough to distinguish

between the legal and the illegal and between right and wrong (Vijayanath J. 2010).

The early researches held heredity to be the main cause of delinquency. The claim

of hereditarians like Henry, Maudsley, Tredgold and Dugdale that delinquency is

inherited was tested by William Healey, Cyril Burt, Conrad and Jones, Wingfield and

Sandiford. They concluded that delinquency is not inherited and therefore, it is wrong to

blame heredity for delinquent behaviour (Vijayanath J. 2010).


3

A defective constitution or glandular system is also thought to be the causes of

delinquent behaviour. Udai Shanker observes that poor health or too short or too big

stature of some deformity which gives rise to feelings of inferiority, disposes one to more

aggression, as a compensatory reaction for his inadequacies. These observations seem to

be well-founded but it is not so, for not much scientific evidence has been reported in its

support so far. It may, however be taken to be one of the causes of delinquent behaviour

(Vijayanath J. 2010).

While earlier writers like Lombroso and Goddard emphasize that the most

important cause of delinquency and crime is low grade mentality. Burt, Healey and

Bronner Merill denied that delinquents are mentally retarded. In fact, a direct causal

relationship between lack of intelligence and delinquency is doubtful. High intelligence is

no guarantee of good behaviour. Often, persons with superior intelligence have been

found to be the leaders of notorious gangs and antisocial organizations. On the basis of

statistics, it is sometimes argued that since the majority among the delinquents has low

intelligence, defective intelligence causes delinquentcy. This conclusion, however is not

well-founded. The statistics, collected in such cases may present an unreal picture. An

intelligent individual may not be caught red-handed, while a delinquent with low

intelligence is more likely to be apprehended. Moreover, defective intelligence may lead

to delinquency in one situation and may be a barrier to it in another situation. Hence, low
4

intelligence alone cannot be said to be responsible for delinquent behaviour (Vijayanath

J. 2010).

It has been proved that delinquent behaviour is a learned reaction. Delinquents do

not inherit delinquent characters from their parents or ancestors but are made so by the

uncongenial environment and social conditions. Shanker observes that delinquency is not

inherited,: it is the product of social and economic conditions and is essentially a

Coefficient of the friction between the individual and the community. The most important

causes of antisocial behaviour are environmental and sociological in character. It is,

therefore, the uncongenial family, school, neighbourhood and society, social environment

which should be blamed for the delinquent behaviour of the child, since he picks up

delinquent traits in such situations. We shall now consider how environment influences

delinquent character formation among minors (Vijayanath J. 2010).

In November 2016, the juvenile justice law became a hot topic for debate when

the Philippine Congress planned to propose a bill that woul lower the age of criminal

responsibility to nine from fifteen-years old, which is the legal as documented in the

current Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, otherwise known as the R.A 9344 Jeza Mae

Sarah C. Sanchez (2016).

Republic Act No. 9344 or the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act” defines the

Juvenile Justice and Welfare System as a system dealing with children at risk and
5

children in conflict with the law, which provides child-appropriate proceedings, including

programmes and services for prevention, diversion, rehabilitation, re-integration and

aftercare to ensure their normal growth and development. Instead of using the word

“juvenile”, Philippine laws made use of the word “child”. As defined in R.A. No. 9344,

“Child” is a person under the age of eighteen (18) years. While “Child at Risk” refers to a

child who is vulnerable to and at the risk of committing criminal offences because of

personal, family and social circumstances. Some of the examples mentioned in the law

are: being abandoned or neglected, and living in a community with a high level of

criminality or drug abuse. “Child in Conflict with the Law” or CICL on the other hand

refers to a child who is alleged as, accused of, or adjudged as, having committed an

offence under Philippine laws. A child can commit an act or omission whether punishable

under special laws or the amended Revised Penal Code which is referred to as an

“Offence”. Under Republic Act 10630, offences which only apply to a child and not to

adults are called “Status Offences”. These shall not be considered as offences and shall

not be punished if committed by a child. Examples of status offences include curfew

violations, truancy, parental disobedience and the like. Before R.A. No. 9344 was

enacted, children at risk and CICL were treated much like adult offenders as when former

President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. signed into law the Judiciary Reorganization Act 1980

which abolished the juvenile and domestic relations courts. As such child offenders were
6

subjected to the same adversarial proceedings as their adult counterparts Jeza Mae Sarah

C. Sanchez (2016).

As an offshoot of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

(UNCRC), the R.A. No. 9344 intends to deal with these children without resorting to

judicial proceedings. Instead of punishing juvenile offenders and treating them as

criminals, these child offenders will be provided by the State and the community with

assistance to prevent them from committing future offences Jeza Mae Sarah C. Sanchez

(2016).

The main features of R.A. No. 9344 are the diversion and intervention

programmes. During the diversion process, the responsibility and treatment of CICL will

be determined on the basis of his/her social, cultural, economic, psychological or

educational background without resorting to formal court proceedings. If the CICL is

found to be responsible for an offence, he/she will be required to undergo diversion

programmes without resorting to formal court proceedings. During the intervention

programmes on the other hand, they will undergo a series of activities to address issues

that caused them to commit an offence. These may take the form of counselling, skills

training, and education. The bigger the role these diversion and intervention programmes

play in child behaviour development, the more acceptance and social legitimacy these
7

programmes are likely to enjoy in resolving problems with CICL Jeza Mae Sarah C.

Sanchez (2016).

Age of Criminal Responsibility and the Presumption of Minority R.A. No. 9344

likewise raises the age of criminal responsibility from nine years of age under

Presidential Decree 603 to a minimum of 15 years old. CICLs aged 15 and above are also

exempted from criminal liability unless the prosecution proves that they acted with

discernment — the capacity to distinguish right from wrong. These child offenders are

also afforded all the rights of a CICL until he/she is proven to be eighteen (18) years old

or older under the “presumption of minority” rule. In all proceedings, law enforcement

officers, prosecutors, judges and other government officials concerned are mandated to

exert all efforts at determining the age of the CICL Jeza Mae Sarah C. Sanchez (2016).

The concept of “restorative justice” as opposed to retributive justice has also been

introduced by R.A. No. 9344. It espouses resolving conflicts with the maximum

involvement of the victim, the offender and the community. It primarily aims to achieve

reparation for the victim, reconciliation of the offender, the offended and the community,

and enhancement of public safety. It also ensures that the child’s rights will not be

infringed when he/she admits to the offence Jeza Mae Sarah C. Sanchez (2016).
8

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol field office

has urged local government units across the region to establish their respective “Bahay

Pag-asa”, a 24-hour child-caring institution that offers short term residential care for

children in conflict with the law (CICL).

DSWD Bicol called on the support of the local governments in time for the

celebration of the National Children’s Month that commenced at the Regional

Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Sorsogon City early this month.

This year’s celebration carries the theme “Bata: Iligtas sa Droga” which upholds the

rights and protection of children from different forms of violence and exploitation

including illegal drugs, aligned with the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Lyndra Villareal, Social Welfare Officer III and head of the RRCY, said that the

establishment of “Bahay Pag-Asa” is consistent with Republic Act (RA) 10630 or an

“Act Strengthening Justice System in the Philippines” providing that each province and

highly-urbanized city shall be responsible for building, funding and operating a Bahay

Pag-Asa following the standards set by DSWD and Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council

(JJWC).

In Sorsogon City, DSWD Bicol and other partner-agencies and private

organizations also distributed shoes, which was donated by Children International Bicol

Incorporated (CIBI), to the 62 children in the center.


9

Joining the kick-off celebration were Children International Bicol Incorporated

(CIBI), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National

Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard, Napolcom, National Anti-Poverty Commission

(NAPC), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Statistics

Authority (PSA), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National

Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP), Department of Justice (DOJ), Sister of Mary,

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Offices of Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate,

Camarines Norte and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of

Iriga.

Other activities that are lined-up for the month-long celebration include the

Regional Interagency Committee (RIAC) and Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare

Committee (RJJWC) Video Contest, Walk for a Child Friendly Environment and

Regional Children and Adolescent Health and Development Congress spearheaded by the

Department of Health (DOH).

A Fun Walk and Zumba will form part of the culminating activity to be held on

November 28 at Puro, Legazpi City in partnership with the Regional Juvenile Justice And

Welfare Committee Bicol (RJJWC) which also celebrating its 6th Juvenile Justice and

Welfare Week Celebration with the theme “ Mapagkalingang Hustisya Ugaliin at

Pagtibayin”.
10

Republic Act No. 10661 declares every November as the National Children‟s Month

(NCM) which commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

by the United Nations General Assembly DSWD REGION V, Albay (2017).

The main objectives of this study is to determine the prevailing factors that leads to

delinquency of juveniles in order to recommend possible measures to the problem

regarding to Juvenile Delinquency:

1. Determine the profile of the respondents in terms of;

A. Age

B. Gender

C. Barangay official

D. PNP member (Position and Rank)

2. To identify prevailing factors leading to juvenile delinquency in Balaguer St.

Market Site, Daraga, Albay;

A. Family

B. Environment

C. Social Media

3. To recommend measures in dealing with juvenile delinquency.

RELATED LITERATURE

In the 21st century, many European juvenile justice systems (most notably

England and Wales), along with those in other industrialized Western countries (e.g.

USA, Australia, Canada) have responded to the uncertainties and threats resulting from
11

globalization, economic austerity and political and media (mis)perceptions of escalating

levels of juvenile crime by implementing a ‘punitive turn’ towards repressive and

retributive (punishment-based) forms of juvenile justice. In this uncertain and insecure

age, the question of how countries should deal with the perceived growing ‘youth crime

problem’ has become a political football. Leaving aside issues with the socio-economic

construction of any ‘problems’ caused by and visited upon young people across Europe,

not to mention the social construction of crime statistics that constitute ‘evidence’ of

these problems, the appropriateness of the question itself has not been at issue. A

succession of European countries have taken for granted that crime committed by young

people is an increasing problem that must be dealt with (cost) effectively without resort to

the ‘failed’ welfare and justice methods of the past. The response to this assumption has

been both revolutionary and alarming STEPHEN CASE AND KEVIN HEINES (2015).

It should be understood that you cannot group the causes of Juvenile Delinquency

or juvenile crimes into one single category. Many people want to look at juvenile

delinquency as an action that is caused by one specific thing or event. Juvenile offenders

are often grouped into one large bunch of people and their actions are treated in the same

manner. The truth is, each form of delinquency is as individual as the juvenile

themselves, and the causes Juvenile Delinquency often differ from person to person.

While some life issues can directly be connected to the type of crimes a juvenile

commits, it is never a guarantee. Many issues can lead a juvenile to commit a crime. It is
12

because of these very stark differences in background information and types of crime

committed that parents and guardians should always seek a legal defense firm that offers

specific defense representation services for minors. It is not unusual for minors accused

of crimes to have one or more of the following issues in their background. Many of these

issues are the leading contributors to deciding to commit a crime. In many sociology

studies, it is found that the more contributing factors in a background, the more

dangerous or violent the actions of the child may be when committing a crime Tulsa

Juvenile Defense Criminal Lawyers February 10, 2018.

According to the White Paper on Crime 1994 published by the Ministry of Justice

in Japan, the delinquent rate in Japan was highest when juveniles were approximately 14

to 16 years old, and declined as they grew older. The analysis of juvenile offenders in

Japan showed that 70% of them had two living parents, 90% of them from families which

were financially stable or affluent. The breakdown of their parents attitudes showed,

however, that 48.2% were classified as neglectful, followed by harshness at 30.3% and

spoiling or overprotection at 17.3% in 1993 in Japan. In the following, social factors

leading to juvenile delinquency were reviewed. Factors leading to juvenile delinquency

were classified into social factors, school factors and home factors, and recent findings

concerning those three factors were explained. A fairly clear outlook on the efforts

required by society, schools and families to reduce juvenile delinquency was shown by

revealing important factors leading juveniles to delinquency Tsutomu Sakuta (2012).


13

In the Philippines, where the plight of majority of the poor remains largely

unaddressed, many places become breeding grounds for youth offenders. While many of

these children were able to rise from the rut---proving that poverty isn’t a justifiable

excuse for committing crime---thousands of other juveniles have failed to get out of the

trap and are forced to break the law primarily to survive. The Philippine law is very clear

that the Local Government Units (LGU) shall be the primary player in implementing the

Delinquency Prevention Program which involves the allocation of budget for homes and

counselor as part of the program implementation. However it is very evident that most of

the LGU do not adhere to this. In cases like these, non-government foundations like

PREDA Foundation, Inc. (Peoples Recovery Empowerment Development Authority)

respond to the problem. Under the leadership of Father Shay Cullen, the New Dawn Boys

Home reintegrates values among the children for them to shun away from delinquency.

The importance of re-acceptance of family and society is also addressed. But how do we

criminals out of children? Claimed that you have to put them in areas where they won’t

be able to meet their basic needs for food, water, shelter, health care, education and

sanitation. Strip them of their rights to develop and maintain a life of dignity so that

they’ll grow up uneducated and unemployed. Mire them in places where there is no

solution to despair and destitution. The Philippine Juvenile Law is consistent with

Western norms, Philippine law which considers anyone under the age of 18 a minor and
14

not criminally liable for their actions. Offenders between the ages of 15 and 17 are sent to

child rehabilitation facilities, while those below the age of 15 are exempted altogether

from prosecution. In reality, however, rehabilitation programs are seldom carried out as

most local governments do not have the capacity or funds to implement them. The

criminal syndicates that increasingly resort to youth to ply their illicit trades have

leveraged into that weak law enforcement. Before Marcos time the Juvenile and

Domestic Relations Courts provided a unique form of adjudication to youthful offenders

and disposal of family cases. It was effective in administering justice, because the

methods were not adversarial, but it was oriented to rehabilitation. JHESSIE L.

ABELLA Department of Nursing and Allied Health CELTECH COLLEGE , 1673

Waterdam Road Balic Balic Sta Rita Olangapo City, Zambales 2200, Phillppines.

MANILA, Philippines – With poverty and environment as the main enablers of

children in conflict with the law (CICL), President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies are

pushing for lowering the age of criminal responsibility – from 15 years to 9 years old.

But social workers and other organizations say this will not end the proliferation of

juvenile crimes. What then will solve the problem? Social workers and pro-child

groups said the cracks in the law have to be addressed first. Duterte, as early as the 2016

campaign, had sought the amendment of Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice Act of

2006, which allowed children below 15 years old to get away with their crimes –
15

provided they undergo intervention and rehabilitation. But what most people do not know

is that RA 9344 was already amended in 2013, through RA 10630. Section 20-A of the

law allows children as young as 12 years old to be detained for serious crimes such as

rape, murder, and homicide, among others. RA 10630 also mandates local government

units to manage their own Bahay Pag-Asa (Houses of Hope). Duterte, echoed by his

allies in the House of Representatives, wants to lower the minimum age of criminal

liability from 15 years old down to 9. He believes it should be done because syndicates

are using more children to commit crimes. CAMILLE ELEMIA (2016).

Juvenile Delinquents: These children put up a face that brings fear and a sense of

defiance. In return, society denounces them with intense aversion, forgetting that they are

children who are just in need of greater guidance. Formally, a Child in Conflict with the

Law (CICL) is a person who at the time of the commission of the offense is below

eighteen years old but not less than 15 years and one day old. Aurora Flores of the

Philippines Mental Health Association in Dumaguete believes that youth offenders have

mental health issues and reiterates that such is not just the absence of mental illness. The

concept of right and wrong among youth offenders is vague or erroneous; leading to their

low self-control. In the long run, their values become distorted, allowing them to commit

crimes without feeling guilty. Central Visayas has the most number of CICL cases since

2009 according to DSWD. Two in the list of youth offenders in Region 7 are “Troy”,
16

found guilty of frustrated homicide at age 17; and “Anjo”, committed arson at eight years

old. Troy played with toy guns as a child and accidentally fired a pistol at his uncle’s

enemy during the physical conflict that involved the adults. On the other hand, Anjo was

bullied and made to follow orders of older children which led him to burn a local chapel.

Brenda Vigo, Executive Director of the Council for the Welfare of Children, says that

these children are victims of dysfunctional families, communities and poverty. That is

why they should not be treated as criminals and be allowed to undergo the Criminal

Justice System. Republic Act 9344 prohibits imprisonment as it will only subject the

children into more harm than good. A Restorative Justice System is observed where their

personal issues can be discussed and conflict can be resolved. Through it, a child is said

to realize that what he did is wrong without causing him to rebel more. There are 16

rehabilitation centres in the Philippines at present. NATHALIE BLANCO (2011).

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol through the

Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) celebrates the 4th Juvenile Justice and

Welfare Consciousness Week on from October 18 to 24. For this year it adopted the

theme “Bata ay Gabayan, Batas sa Juvenile Justice Bigyan Daan!” which focuses on the

continued efforts of government agencies, non-government agencies, and non-

government agencies and other partners and stakeholders to protect the rights of the

children in conflict with the law (CICL) and the children at risk (CAR) in ensuring a

bright future for them. Proclamation Number 459 signed by his Excellency Benigno C.
17

Aquino III declared 4th week of October of every year as the Juvenile Justice and

Welfare Consciousness Week. This is in conjunction with the annual celebration of the

National Children’s Month. The state recognizes the need to mainstream awareness and

consciousness of the Filipino people to emphasize the rights of every Filipino youth

including the children at risk and children in conflict with the law (CICL). DSWD Asst.

Director Arwin Razo shared that this year’s celebration aims to raise the awareness of the

Bicolanos on the current issues, status and condition of the Children In Conflict with the

Laws (CICL’s) and Children at Risks (CAR) with the help of the stakeholders and media

partners. A fun walk cum Zumba and a short program signaled the start of the week’s

celebration. This was led by Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal and other members of the

Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council such as; DILG, DOH, PNP, BJMP, LGU

Bulan, COMPRE children, DepEd, CHR , media partners and DSWD. This was followed

by a press conference at La Roca Veranda Suites and Restaurant. The Regional Juvenile

Justice and Welfare Council (RJJWC) believe that the mass media play an active role in

the promotion of child rights and delinquency prevention by relaying consistent messages

through a balance approach. The RJJWC hopes that with every awareness-raising activity

conducted, we are able to strengthen the commitment of each duty bearer to perform their

respective functions in ensuring that the rights of the children are protected at all times.

Bicol Standard/Bicol News (2015).

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Containment Theory by Walter Reckless. Which is an American criminologist,

he then stated that inner and outer containment helps prevent juvenile offending.

However, the problem was not norm retention so much as norm erosion. For example,
18

what were the processes by which containment became eroded? Containment theory thus

considered crime and delinquency to be a product of the modern world. However, rather

than focus or blame material inequality of opportunity its focus was on the moral order or

code and those individuals cast adrift with no sense of direction or commitment.

Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandula. Agrees with the behaviorist

learning theories of classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Individuals that are

observed are called models. In society, children are surrounded by many influential

models, such as parents within the family, characters on children’s TV, friends within

their peer group and teachers at school. These models provide examples of behavior to

observe and imitate, e.g., masculine and feminine, pro and anti-social, etc.

Children pay attention to some of these people (models) and encode their

behavior. At a later time they may imitate (i.e., copy) the behavior they have observed.

They may do this regardless of whether the behavior is ‘gender appropriate’ or not, but

there are a number of processes that make it more likely that a child will reproduce the

behavior that its society deems appropriate for its gender.

First, the child is more likely to attend to and imitate those people it perceives as

similar to itself. Consequently, it is more likely to imitate behavior modeled by people of

the same gender.


19

Second, the people around the child will respond to the behavior it imitates with

either reinforcement or punishment. If a child imitates a model’s behavior and the

consequences are rewarding, the child is likely to continue performing the behavior. If a

parent sees a little girl consoling her teddy bear and says “what a kind girl you are,” this

is rewarding for the child and makes it more likely that she will repeat the behavior. Her

behavior has been reinforced (i.e., strengthened).

Reinforcement can be external or internal and can be positive or negative. If a

child wants approval from parents or peers, this approval is an external reinforcement,

but feeling happy about being approved of is an internal reinforcement. A child will

behave in a way which it believes will earn approval because it desires approval.

Positive (or negative) reinforcement will have little impact if the reinforcement

offered externally does not match with an individual's needs. Reinforcement can be

positive or negative, but the important factor is that it will usually lead to a change in a

person's behavior.

Third, the child will also take into account of what happens to other people when

deciding whether or not to copy someone’s actions. A person learns by observing the

consequences of another person’s (i.e., models) behavior, e.g., a younger sister observing

an older sister being rewarded for a particular behavior is more likely to repeat that

behavior herself. This is known as vicarious reinforcement.


20

SOCIAL LEARNING CONTAINMENT THEORY

CIRCUMSTANCIAL SOCIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL


FACTORS FACTORS FACTORS

LACK OF
CONTAINMENT

DISTURBED
PSYCHOLOGICAL
PROCESS

COMMISSION OF
DELINQUENT
ACTS

Figure 1
21

PREVAILING FACTORS THAT LEADS TO DELINQUENCY OF JUVENILE


IN BALAGUER ST. MARKET SITE, DARAGA, ALBAY

Theoretical Framework

1) Profile of the Respondents in terms of:


a. age
b. gender
c. civilian/ barangay official or police/ PNP member
d. civil status;
2) What are the factors/causes that leads to juvenile delinquent acts in
Balaguer St. Market Site, Daraga, Albay;
3) Recommending measures to solve problems in dealing with juvenile
delinquency.

1. Strong social bond with the community.


2. Enhanced opportunity for children’s growth and development.
3. Create an open communication between parents and their children

1. Peaceful and orderly community


2. Less involvement of juvenile in commission of crimes
3. Develop strong attachment with family

FEEDBACK

Figure 2
Research Paradigm
22

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study will focus on the prevailing factors that leads to delinquency of

juvenile. It will be conducted in the barangay of Balaguer St., Market Site, Daraga,

Albay. This place was chosen because the researchers think that it might be an area which

juvenile delinquent acts occur rapidly because it is near to market areas. The area is

known due to delinquent acts that juvenile most likely commit. The researchers ought to

know possible factors on why do juveniles commit such unlawful acts in the place upon

conducting the study. The respondents will be only limited to the selected barangay. The

anticipated outcome is that the community will be aware of the factors that persuades a

child in committing crimes, especially every household because of the fact that behavior

of a child is molded in their houses and be able to achieve measures that may help in

decreasing possible delinquent acts of a child.

Significance of the Study

The study will be beneficial to the following:

Youth. This will help them avoid becoming a delinquent and find alternative

ways to become a better person instead of doing unlawful acts.

Parents. This will serve as a preventive measure or warning to all parents to

avoid on disconnecting their bonds to their children. They must show love and

understanding together with giving the right amount of discipline to their children.

Barangay Official. This will give them right amount knowledge for them to

communicate with their community in terms of giving right attention and discipline to the

juvenile in order to prevent delinquency.


23

Barangay Police (Tanod). They must be observant and monitor their place of

vicinity at all times to avoid commission of unlawful acts.

Philippine National Police (PNP). They will serve as a helping hand of the

barangay police in dealing with unexpected juvenile delinquency acts and become aware

of the emerging problem of delinquency.

School. This will help both teachers and students develop a good communication

through adopting good behavior and good norms for a child to avoid becoming a juvenile

delinquent. The school serves as the second home of juveniles and must help develop

good and right attitude.

Community. This will serve as a guide for them not to judge juveniles on their

state of living or anything else and help them to become a productive and better person.

What matters is that they will help in preventing juveniles to commit acts.

Future Researcher. It will help them undertake further study about juvenile

delinquency.

METHODOLOGY

This section deals with the method of giving details about research design,

instrumentation and data gathering procedure which will help through development of the

study. This involves the sources of data to be use, research instrument which is the survey

questionnaire and statistical tools that will help in determining resolutions to the study.

The research design that will be used is descriptive type. Descriptive research

design is a scientific method which involves observing and describing the behavior of a

subject without influencing it in any way MARTYN SHUTTLEWORTH (2008).


24

The researchers will be using survey questionnaire to gather data. It has three

parts: (1) Determine the profile of the respondents in terms of age, gender,

civilian/barangay official/PNP member, and civil status; (2) factors/causes that leads to

juvenile delinquent acts in Balaguer St. Market Site, Daraga, Albay; (3) Recommend

measures to solve problems in dealing with juvenile delinquency.

The sources of data that the researchers will be using are primary and secondary

source. The primary source will be coming from the chosen respondents upon answering

the survey questionnaire. The secondary sources will be coming from articles, e-books,

past researches and internet that may help in improving the research.

Sampling is a means of selecting a subset of units from a target population for the

purpose of collecting information. This information is used to draw inferences about the

population as a whole. The subset of units that are selected is called a sample. The sample

design encompasses all aspects of how to group units on the frame, determine the sample

size, allocate the sample to the various classifications of frame units, and finally, select

the sample. Choices in sample design are influenced by many factors, including the

desired level of precision and detail of the information to be produced, the availability of

appropriate sampling frames, the availability of suitable auxiliary variables for

stratification and sample selection, the estimation methods that will be used and the

available budget in terms of time and resources COCHRAN,W.G (2015).


25

Table A

Respondents of the Study

Respondent Male Female Total

Youth (15-21)

Barangay Police/

Officials

Parents

PNP Member

Total

Assumptions

The study aims to know the factors that leads to delinquency of juveniles in

Balaguer St. Daraga, Albay. The researchers are aiming to develop possible answers to

the problems and find solutions to it. Crimes occur in our daily lives and it is committed

by adults. Child tends to look upon such acts and develops curiosity in their innocent

minds. Because of these crimes, juveniles most likely commit the same because they

think that it is good. Some juveniles have their own reason. The researchers aim to know

about the factors that provokes them to commit such unlawful acts. In the end of this

study, the researchers will be able to gather and seek possible answers together with the

aid of other sources of data.


26

Statistical Tools

The researchers used the following Statistical tools;

Percentage will be used to determine the significance of variables. It is another

way of expressing a portion. A percentage is equal to the portion times 100. This will be

used in order to have the right number of respondents during the conducting of the data

gathering. ( Gadingan, Retumban & Intia 2018)

Formula: P = n/N X 100

Whereas: n = actual number of respondents

N = total number of the respondents

100% = constant

Weighted mean will be also used to determine the factors that leads to juvenile

delinquency. (Gadingan, Retumban & Intia 2018) Weighted average is an average in

which each observation in the data set is assigned or multiplied by a weight before

summing to a single average value. In this process, each quantity to be averaged is

assigned a weight that determines the relative importance of each quantity. Weightings

are the equivalent of having that many like items with the same value involved in the

average. This is an average calculated by taking account the frequencies of the values of

variables but also some factors such as variants. This was employed to determine the risk

factors which affects the occurrence of juvenile delinquency. The formula for the

weighted mean is:

WM = weighted mean

F = frequency

W = weights
27

N = numbers of respondent

Ranking involves putting the values chronological order then assigning new

values to denote wherein the order set them fall. It will be used to specific number 2 in

able to determine the most factor that leads to juvenile delinquency and specific number 3

to know the most measure to be recommended to develop the study. ( Gadingan,

Retumban & Intia 2018)

Likert Scale. It contains the five potential choices, these are, extremely agree;

moderately agree; agree; disagree; and strongly disagree. Likert scale will be used to be

able to determine the factors/causes and problems encountered in dealing with juvenile

delinquency will be described as follows:

Using the Likert Scale

Scale Quantification Adjectival Interpretation

4 3.50-4.49 strongly agree

3 2.50-3.49 moderately agree

2 1.50-2.49 agree

1 .50-1.49 disagree
28

BICOL COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
DARAGA, ALBAY

Greetings!

The researchers are conducting a study entitled “Prevailing Factors that leads to
Delinquency of Juvenile”. We have chosen you as one of our respondents. The data
collected will be treated with outmost confidentiality and will be used for research
purposes only.

Thank you for your time and cooperation.


_______________________________________________________________________

PART I. Profile of the Respondents

NAME(Optional)_________________________________________________________
AGE_____GENDER__________CIVIL STATUS______________________________
___CIVILIAN
___BARANGAY OFFICIAL/POLICE
___PNP MEMBER

PART II. Factors/Causes that leads to Juvenile Delinquent acts in Balaguer St.
Market Site, Daraga, Albay
Directions: Put a check under the column in which you believe to be corresponding on
the above mentioned problems. Check under Column 4 if Strongly Agree, column 3 if
Moderately Agree, column 2 if Agree, and column 1 if Disagree

Indicators 4 3 2 1
A. Family
1.Strict Parents
2.Broken Family
3.No family guidance
4.Lack of Attention
5.Family Attitude
6.Family influence
7.Depression inside the house
8.Pressured by the parents
9.Financial Problem
10.Abusive Parents
B. Environment
1.Peer pressure
2.Community influence
3.Friends Attitude
4.Curiosity
29

5.Neighbors’ influence
6.Poverty
7.Wants and needs
8.Trends
9.Bullying
10.Discrimination
C. Social Media
1.Discrimination
2.Cyber Bullying
3.Trends
4.Curiosity
5.Ignorance

PART III. What Recommended measures do you think that will lessen the
factors/causes that leads to juvenile delinquent acts in Balaguer St. Market Site,
Daraga, Albay. Kindly check (/) the following below that satisfies your answer.

1. Warm, supportive relationships with parents or other adults


2. Parents’ positive evaluation of peers
3. Parental monitoring.
4. Positive social orientation
5. Recognition for involvement in conventional activities.
30

References:

Policy Briefing: Juvenile Justice in Europe from risk obsession to children first
progression (2015)

( Retrieved from: https://discoversociety.org/2015/05/05/policy-briefing-juvenile-justice-


in-europe-from-risk-obsession-to-children-first-progression/ )
Contributing Factors to Juvenile Delinquency (2018)
(Retrieved from: https://baysingerlaw.com/2018/02/contributing-factors-juvenile-
delinquency/ )

Social factors leading to juvenile delinquency (1996) Retrieved from:


https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9023445

J.L. Abella., (April 26, 2016) Extent of the Factors Influencing the Delinquent Acts
among Children in Conflict with the Law
(Retrieved from: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/extent-of-the-factors-
influencing-the-delinquent-acts-among-children-inconflict-with-the-law-2375-4494-
1000288.php?aid=71911)

C. Elemia., (2015) Children in conflict with the law: Cracks in Juvenile Justice Act
(Retrieved from: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/152185-problems-
juvenile-justice-law-cicl)

N. Blanco., (2011) KRUSADA: Juvenile Delinquency


(Retrieved from: https://news.abs-cbn.com/current-affairs-programs/11/21/11/krusada-
juvenile-delinquency)

Bicol Standard., (2015) Bicol observes Juvenile Justice Welfare and Consciousness Week
(Retrieved from: http://www.bicolstandard.com/2015/10/bicol-juvenile-justice-welfare-
consciousness-dswd.html)
Descriptive Research Design (2018)
(Retrieved from: https://explorable.com/descriptive-research-design)
Sampling Design (2015) (Retrieved from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/12-539-
x/2009001/sample-plan-eng.htm)
Statistics Solutions (2018)
(Retrieved from: http://www.statisticssolutions.com/data-analysis-plan/ )
Gadingan, C.R., Retumban, J.J.P., Intia, L.T. (2018) Risk Factors Affecting the
Occurrence of Juvenile Delinquency in the Selected Barangays in Daraga, Albay

You might also like