The Role of Education in Reducing Juvenile Delinquency
1. 0 Introduction
In recent years, the issue of juvenile delinquency has been on the rise in New York City. Although the overall crime rate has decreased, the number of juveniles arrested has increased. In 2017, there were over 23,000 arrests of juveniles in New York City, which is a 5% increase from 2016 ( NYPD, 2018). The majority of these arrests were for nonviolent offenses such as trespassing, fare evasion, and graffiti. Although these offenses are not as serious as violent crimes, they can still lead to negative consequences for the juveniles involved. If a juvenile is arrested and convicted of a crime, it can hinder their ability to get a job or go to college in the future. In addition, being involved in the criminal justice system can also lead to further involvement in criminal activity.
2. 0 The role of education in reducing juvenile delinquency
One of the ways to prevent juveniles from becoming involved in criminal activity is by supporting them in their educational endeavors. A major factor that contributes to juvenile delinquency is the high school dropout rate. In New York City, the high school dropout rate was 3.5% in 2017 ( NYC Department of Education, 2018). This may seem like a small percentage, but it translates to over 10,000 students who dropped out of high school that year. Most of these students are from low-income families and do not have access to resources that could help them succeed in school. In addition, many of them live in areas with high crime rates and are exposed to gangs and other negative influences.
To combat the high school dropout rate, the NYC Department of Education has implemented several programs and initiatives. One program is called Pathways to Graduation, which provides support to students who are at risk of dropping out of high school. The program offers tutoring, mentoring, and other services to help students stay on track with their studies. In addition, the NYC Department of Education has also created small learning communities within larger schools. These smaller schools offer a more supportive and intimate environment for students to learn in. As a result of these programs, the high school graduation rate has increased from 54% in 2005 to 77% in 2017 ( NYC Department of Education, 2018).
In addition to the high school dropout rate, another factor that contributes to juvenile delinquency is low test scores. In New York City, only 28% of students in grades 3-8 were proficient in math and 31% were proficient in reading on the most recent state tests ( NYC Department of Education, 2018). These low test scores indicate that many students are not receiving the quality education they need to be successful later on in life.
There are several reasons why so many students are not proficient in math and reading. One reason is that many teachers are not properly trained to teach these subjects. In addition, many schools do not have enough resources to provide students with adequate instruction and materials. As a result, many students fail to develop the skills they need to be successful in school and life.
3. Social issues that fuel gangs and lead to juvenile delinquency
In addition to educational factors, there are also social issues that contribute to juvenile delinquency. One social issue is family structure. Many juveniles come from broken homes or homes where there is no parental supervision. As a result, they are more likely to get involved in criminal activity.
Another social issue is poverty. Many juveniles come from families that are struggling to make ends meet. They may have to work long hours to help support their families or they may not have access to resources that can help them succeed in school. As a result, they are more likely to drop out of school and get involved in criminal activity.
The final social issue is racism. Many juveniles are exposed to racism, whether it is through the media, their peers, or their families. This can lead to feelings of anger and resentment. As a result, they may lash out and get involved in criminal activity.
4. Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency. However, one of the most important ways to prevent it is by supporting the youth in their educational endeavors. By providing resources and opportunities for success, we can help reduce the rate of juvenile delinquency in New York City.