| Abstract [eng] |
Causes of Rejection of Delinquent Behavior Delinquency is a violation of legal and social norms committed by minors. Researches in different disciplines provide a diverse range of reasons for delinquent behaviour. These are based on various delinquency theories developed by D. Matza, A. K. Cohen, C. Shaw, H. McKay and other scientists explaining the causes and risk factors of delinquent behaviour. Reasons are sought why minors behave delinquently. However, the flip side of this phenomenon is also important – why, in the presence of risk factors for delinquent behaviour, the delinquent behaviour is not chosen? This particular issue was researched by T. Hirschi while developing social control theory. In order to find out the reasons for resistance to delinquent behaviour, based on social control theory, this study attempted to look at cases of rejection of delinquent behaviour in the socially disorderly district of Naujoji Vilnia, in Vilnius, Lithuania. This research aims to find out what determines minors' resistance to delinquent behaviour. Research tasks: to analyse the peculiarities of the social environment of Naujoji Vilnia district; to ascertain the environmental risk factors influencing delinquent behaviour; to find out what factors determine resistance to delinquent behaviour. While conducting the qualitative study a semi-structured interview method was used and nine life histories from individuals, who grew up in Naujoji Vilnia district without having the delinquent behaviour experience, were collected. MAXQDA software was used to analyse the assembled data. Life histories revealed various risk factors related to family problems, negative school and neighbourhood environment. Both positive and negative characteristics of the neighbourhood, on which a sense of security depended, were revealed. Despite the individual experiences and subjective environmental assessments, a certain sense of security in the neighbourhood was provided by the fact of being "local", knowing what places to avoid, where and when to walk. The study found that despite the environmental risk factors, the control of social bonds – attachment, commitment, involvement and belief – have diverted minors from delinquent behaviour. The Research has shown that at different stages of life, the attachment with positive emotional bonds played a significant role in all life histories, commitment to goals and involvement in various activities manifested differently, thus reinforcing the control of delinquent behaviour. Beliefs have formed depending on attachment, commitment and involvement in activities. |
