Many theories concerning the causes of
juvenile delinquency (crimes committed by young people) focus either on the
individual or on society as the major contributing influence. Theories{{U}}
(21) {{/U}}on the individual suggest that children engage in criminal
behavior{{U}} (22) {{/U}}they were not sufficiently penalized for
previous misdeeds or that they have learned criminal behavior through{{U}}
(23) {{/U}}with others. Theories focusing on the role of society
suggest that children commit crimes in{{U}} (24) {{/U}}to their failure
to rise above their socioeconomic status,{{U}} (25) {{/U}}as a rejection
of middle-class values. Most theories of juvenile delinquency have focused on
children from disadvantaged families,{{U}} (26) {{/U}}the fact that
children from wealthy homes also commit crimes. The latter may commit crimes{{U}}
(27) {{/U}}lack of adequate pa- rental control. All theories, however,
are tentative and are{{U}} (28) {{/U}}to criticism. Changes in the
social structure may indirectly{{U}} (29) {{/U}}juvenile crime rates.
For example, changes in the economy that{{U}} (30) {{/U}}to fewer job
opportunities for youth and rising unemployment{{U}} (31) {{/U}}make
gainful employment increasingly difficult to obtain. The resulting discontent
may in{{U}} (32) {{/U}}lead more youths into criminal-behavior. Families
have also{{U}} (33) {{/U}}changes these years. More families consist of
one-parent households or two working parents;{{U}} (34) {{/U}}, children
are likely to have less supervision at home{{U}} (35) {{/U}}was common m
the traditional family structure.