Behaviour in a young person that would be considered a crime in an adult.
The term is often extended to include noncriminal behaviour such as drug abuse, playing truant, or running away from home.
Juvenile delinquency probably results from a combination of social, psychological, and biological factors.
Child guidance or family therapy may be recommended.
Persistent offenders may be sent to special schools, taken into care, or made wards of court.
Behaviour by a young person that would be judged a crime if carried out by an adult. Delinquency may also include non-criminal activities – for example, running away from home, missing school lessons, drug or alcohol abuse, and unruly behaviour in public places. Delinquency is now a serious social problem in the UK, especially in deprived areas, and it is increasingly accompanied by alcohol and drug abuse.
a repetitive and persistent pattern of aggressive or otherwise antisocial behaviour. It is usually recognized in childhood or adolescence and may include such behaviours as unusually frequent and severe temper tantrums, arguing with adults, defying rules, being angry and resentful, cruelty to animals, lying or breaking promises, use of weapons, sexual aggression, destroying property, truancy, bullying, and general delinquency. It can lead to *antisocial personality disorder. Treatment is usually with *behaviour therapy or *family therapy, although there is some debate as to whether it should be seen as a social rather than a medical problem.... conduct disorder
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