A study in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Anaswara Prasad L (MA Student)
Department of Sociology, University of Kerala, India
Email: anaswaraprasad32@gmail.com
Abstract: Juvenile delinquency, encompassing offences from theft to severe crimes such as rape and murder, constitutes a significant societal challenge in India, with the situation in Kerala reflecting the national context. Juvenile crimes are defined as offences committed by individuals under 18. The aetiology of juvenile delinquency is complex and often obscured. This study explores the psycho-social factors contributing to such deviant behaviours. Additionally, it examines the influence of gender and birth order on offences committed by minors in conflict with the law. The research employs an exploratory design, utilising primary and secondary data sources. Various psychosociological factors, including family dysfunction, impulsivity, childhood temperament, social environment, and peer influences, which may lead to psychological disorders and ultimately to deviant behaviour, will be analysed in this study. The research elucidates the gendered dimension of such deviant behaviours and examines the behaviour of male juveniles in specific contexts, and it investigates the potential significance of birth order in determining these behaviours. This study is particularly relevant in the current social climate, where substantial changes are occurring in parenting practices and family dynamics.
Keywords: Juvenile Delinquency; Birth Order; Psycho-Social Factors; Gender.