NAME: Glendel F.

Lasam
Yr. LEVEL & COURSE: 3rd Yr. - BS CJE
SUBJECT: CRIM 105 – Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice System
NAME OF FACULTY: ATTY. April Joy B. Leonar - Tongson

EXERCISE 3. Essay. Answer the ff. to the best of your comprehension.

1. Discuss the concept of Routine Activity theory in connection to juvenile delinquency.
Answer:
To discuss Routine Activity Theory in connection to juvenile delinquency, we first define what is
Routine Activity Theory first. Routine Activity Theory is focused on the crime target or anything
an offender wants to take control of, whether it is a house to break into or a bottle of beer to
shoplift. Before crime will occur, however, three elements must come together: motivated
offenders; suitable targets; and an absence of people to deter the would-be offender. This RAT
is commonly used to explain why and how youth are at a heightened risk of being involved in
offending behavior (Juvenile delinquency) and of being victimized. Since an individual’s
demographics influence their daily activities, they are predictive of their risk of victimization.
Young unmarried males experience the highest frequency of victimization; their nightly
activities, then, provide significant support for the theory, as it is these that take them away
from the security of the home. By being out at night, these youth come into increased contact
with offenders, partake in high-risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol use, participate in
delinquent activities themselves, and frequent high-risk situations and areas. Therefore, as a
consequence of their routine activities and lifestyle, they are at a substantially higher risk for
victimization.

2. Do you agree that physical appearance of a child or minor indicates or contributes to juvenile
delinquency? Defend your answer.
Answer:
I agree to indication/contribution of physical appearance of a child or minor to juvenile
delinquency. The bodily condition (physical appearance) of a child may affect his or her
behavior in one or more of three ways. First, it may be the direct cause of delinquent behavior.
Secondly, it may form a handicap to the child's achievement or favorable relationship with
other children and adults, as in the case of malnutrition and defects. Delinquency may result as
an attempt on the part of the child to compensate for these disabilities. Thirdly, bodily
conditions such as certain developmental aberrations and physical exuberance may supply a
superfluity of energy which finds outlet in delinquency. The various physical conditions of the
child may thus determine delinquency.

3. Illustrate and explain the principle of Edwin Sutherland which states that delinquent behavior
is learned in interaction with others through process of communication.
Answer:
Differential association takes a social psychological approach to explain how an individual
becomes a criminal. The theory posits that an individual will engage in criminal behavior when
the definitions that favor violating the law exceed those that don’t. Definitions in favor of
violating the law could be specific. For example, “This store is insured. If I steal these items, it’s
a victimless crime.” Definitions can also be more general, as in “This is public land, so I have the
right to do whatever I want on it.” These definitions motivate and justify criminal activity.
Meanwhile, definitions unfavorable to violating the law push back against these notions. Such
definitions can include, “Stealing is immoral” or “Violating the law is always wrong.”
The individual is also likely to put different weight on the definitions they are presented in their
environment. These differences depend on the frequency with which a given definition is
encountered, how early in life a definition was first presented, and how much one values the
relationship with the individual presenting the definition.

While the individual is most likely to be influenced by definitions provided by friends and family
members, learning can also occur at school or through the media. For example, the media often
romanticize criminals. If an individual favors stories of mafia kingpins, such as the TV show Ang
Probinsiyano and Asiong Salonga story, the exposure to this media may impact the individual’s
learning because it includes some messages that favor breaking the law. If an individual focuses
on those messages, they could contribute to an individual’s choice to engage in criminal
behavior. Thus explain the principle of Edwin Sutherland which states that delinquent behavior
is learned in interaction with others through process of communication.