In order to end juvenile delinquency society as a whole must recognize and understand the cause of the problem. Parents influence adolescents tremendously, especially when dealing with the issue of substance use among juveniles, as it has been found to have a closer correlation to violence and delinquency (Barnes, Hoffman, & Welte, 2002;; Winters, 1998). Although at times there might not be a straight link between parental influence and delinquency, there is a link between parents, substance use, and future delinquent acts by adolescents.

It has been found that juveniles whom affiliate themselves around marijuana smokers have a greater chance of using marijuana (J. Brook, D. Brook, Arencibia-Mireles, Richter, & Whiteman 2001). Juveniles whom are surrounded by stronger forms of drug use, especially those injected with needles, can be infected with HIV. HIV in adolescents might lead to an increase in substance use, staying involved in substance use, or becoming more violent. A reason for the increase in drug use is because individuals who are affiliated with peers whom are involved in drugs have a higher chance of being participants in substance abuse. Peers have a strong influence on peers and can tremendously persuade individuals to not be positive contributors towards our society. If peers that are involve in drugs increase, then there is an increase in potential delinquent activity. Although it is too late for adults, juveniles (especially younger adolescents) can still be watched and kept away from friends whom are drug involved as long as parents are informed. This leads to parents having to take more active roles with their children, because their lack of involvement might not only affect their child, but everyone else’s child in American society.

As important as parents are in reducing substance use, they can also be a factor that leads towards juveniles engaging in substance use and therefore future delinquency. Wallerstein (1991) states that juveniles have a greater chance of become delinquent once they have been psychologically abused or are having trouble dealing with divorce (Akers, 2000). Barnes, Hoffman, and Welte (2002) reinforce those statistics as their findings have shown to prove that single parent adolescents are at greater risk of substance use and delinquency than those adolescents who have two parents living at home. Parents themselves might also set an example of delinquent activity by being involved in crime. Fagan (1996) states that parents who are involved in crime leads to juveniles becoming delinquent (Akers, 2000). As children grow up, they begin to follow the foot steps of their parents. Children might imitate the parent and not know the difference between positive and negative behavior. This goes to show that parents once again have the ability to direct a child in either a direction of law abiding or delinquent. As un-intentional as the harm caused by divorce might be, parents still need to be held accountable for the actions of their children. Courts today should also redirect their attention, as they appear to dwell more on child support, it takes more than money to reduce delinquent activity that is felt throughout American society.

Through the research mentioned earlier it was seen that substance use by juveniles created a path towards delinquent activity. The root of the problem was traced back to parents, which can be concluded that in order to begin an attempt against en

Some topics in this essay:
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