Studies and researches have shown that there is an undeniable link between juvenile delinquency and poverty. Every law enforcement leader knows from years of experience that teens immersed in poverty are more likely to turn towards crime. In a research study conducted by the Cambridge University, children coming from poor families are two and half times more likely to fall into crime as compared to kids from a rich or well-to-do background.

Poverty has been linked to juvenile delinquency but does poverty cause crime?

Apart from poverty, there are many other factors that are linked to juvenile delinquency such as dysfunctional family problems etc. Several studies have identified poverty as a crucial cause of crime among children in the US. Other causes do cause children to give up their studies and turn to crime. But poverty is said to be one of the major causes of children under 18 to be convicted.

Poverty in America

Statistics show that children are more likely to be living in low-income families than adults. Studies show that lower number of adults live in poverty as compared to children. The younger a child is, the more likely he or she is to be living in poverty. In the earlier years of a teen’s life, the risk of developing a tendency to turn towards crime is the highest. A child, for instance, living in a low-income family between the ages of 6 to 11 is at a greater risk of becoming involved in violent crime and becoming a juvenile delinquent rather than a child who falls between the ages of 12 to 15 years.

Can families remove the risk of their kid turning into juvenile delinquents?

There is no income barrier that a family can cross to eliminate the risk of their child turning into a juvenile delinquent. Some very rich families have teens that get involved in crimes and are convicted. But it is evident from research that the more income a family has, the less risk there is for kids to turn to crime.