CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Delinquency, according to Microsoft Encarta Dictionary, is defined as criminal or antisocial behaviour of juvenile. A juvenile delinquent is a young person who habitually breaks the law, especially somebody repeatedly charged with vandalism or other antisocial behaviour. Juvenile delinquents are victims of a society who have substituted the acts of doing whatever you want for discipline. They are victims of a break down of authority and moral standards in the home, in the neighbourhood, and in the entire community.

Burnt, one of the classic writers on the psychology of juvenile delinquency described delinquency as an outstanding sample of childish naughtiness. This childish naughtiness is shown in actions like stealing, truancy, and so on. Delinquents are individuals who have come into conflicts with the law by engaging in acts such as theft, rape, and destruction of property. Most juvenile delinquents are adolescents between ages of twelve and seventeen years, which are people normally found as students in the secondary schools.

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Thompson (2006) explained that development involves physical, intellectual, social and emotional changes that occur from birth to adolescent. Although people change throughout their lives, developmental changes are especially dramatic in childhood. During this period, a dependent vulnerable newborn grows into a capable young person who has mastered language, is self aware, can think and reason with sophistication, has a distinctive personality and socializes effortlessly with others. Many abilities and characteristics that are developed in childhood last a lifetime.

There has been a lot of societal concern over the problem of delinquency among students. It has been increasing every day in the society. Its evils and cures have engaged the minds of many people including psychologists, parents, teachers, academicians, professors and the government. The bad effects of juvenile delinquency on the development of youths have contributed greatly to the fallen standards of education. It should be borne in mind however, that these anti-social behaviours like cheating, stealing, bullying, smoking, lying, truancy, and so on, are not only deviant but extremely delinquent in the sense that they affect the students socially, morally, academically, and spiritually. Many delinquent students often grow up to become irresponsible adults or criminals.

1.3       STATEMENT OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS

In view of the analysis on delinquency among secondary school students, the following research question were raised and answered in the study:

1. What are the causes of delinquency among the students?
2. What acts of delinquency are found among the students?
3. What are the effects of delinquency on the academic performance of the students?
4. What are the effects of delinquency on the schools, families, society and the lives of the students involved?

1.4       OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The broad objective of this study was to examine the causes of delinquency, the acts of delinquency and the effects of delinquency on students in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State. The specific objectives were to

1. examine the causes of delinquency among students;
2. identify the acts that are found among delinquent students;  and
3. examine the effects of delinquency among students in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State

1.5       JUSTIFICATION FOR THE STUDY

This study was designed to examine the causes of delinquency, the acts of delinquency and the effects of delinquency on students in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State. The results of this study will enlighten the teachers and the parents on the various acts found among delinquent students, the causes and effects of delinquency among the students, in order to be able to control such students so as to make them better citizens that will contribute to the development of the nation tomorrow.

1.6       LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The limitations to this study included time in getting information from the respondents. Few students were sampled from different schools in the Local Government as representative of the population of secondary school students in the study area.

1.7       DEFINITION OF TERM

Delinquency: According to Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary, it means criminal or antisocial behaviour. It is a change in the attitude of students based on delinquent acts such as stealing, lying, disrespect for teachers, drinking, and so on.

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