University of Luzon

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

THESIS ABSTRACT

1. Title: CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN THE

CITY OF DAGUPAN

2. Researchers: Yzrhael C. Serrano

Paul James L. Camagay

Bingbong E. Ocson

Randolph P. Sanchez

Micky O. Candelario

Nathaniel F. Barandoc

3. Course: Bachelor of Science in Criminology

4. Adviser: Prof. Salvador Samson

5. Institution: University of Luzon

6. Background of the Study:

The general objective of this study is to find out the causes of

juvenile delinquency in the minors of Dagupan City. The input of this

study determined the profile of the minors in terms of age, gender, civil

status, and educational attainment, also the condition in terms of

physical, emotional and mental or psychological status. It may also

encountered by the experience of law enforcers, BSW officers, Barangay

Officials and their parents/ guardian.

 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

The juvenile justice system was strengthen when R.A. 9344 or

known as “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006” is hereby amended

by R.A. 10630 “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council where a child

fifteen (15) years of age or under at the time of the commission of the

offense shall be exempt from criminal liability. However, the child shall

be subjected to an intervention program pursuant to Section 20 of this

Act. A child is deemed to be fifteen (15) years of age on the day of the

fifteenth anniversary of his/her birthdate. A child above fifteen (15) years

but below eighteen (18) years of age shall likewise be exempt from

criminal liability and be subjected to an intervention program, unless

he/she has acted with discernment, in which case, such child shall be

subjected to the appropriate proceedings in accordance with this Act.

The exemption from criminal liability herein established does not include

exemption from civil liability, which shall be enforced in accordance with

existing laws.

Base on the study, it seems that the causes of juvenile delinquency

is base on the situation and condition of a child from his/her birth with

his/her family, growing environment, school and other depatments

/agencies of the government. The good parenting and attention on child

is a strong factor to prevent them from committing delinquent acts.

 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Juvenile crime, as all crime, has been increasing. Brutal crime

among young offenders also is increasingly evidenced in reports,

particularly on urban areas. Some offenders are psychotic and their

offences may range from suicide to mass murder. Others are anti-social

and given to minor acts of defiance. Ease of access to weapons, drug

addiction, unemployment, and economic motives, are the more obvious

circumstances leading to crime; but modern societal stress, breakdown

of family life, deviant role models, threats of nuclear war and the

confusion in values which produce unstable feelings and distorted ideas,

all contribute to aggravate violence among youth. The extent of youthful

crime is hard to judge. Since the Second World War, a substantial

increase in juvenile convictions has been recorded in many countries. As

offenders, boys outnumber girls in a ratio of about 10 to 1. Juvenile

delinquency rates may rise with a higher general technological economic

level and in situations of varied social change. Hence Western Europe,

USA and Japan have high levels of juvenile delinquency. Youth gangs are

noted also in Taiwan, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Poland,

 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

USSR and Yugoslavia. Juvenile delinquency has shown a sharp

increase in such rapidly developing nations as Ghana and Kenya. Crimes

against property are by far the most frequent type of offence. These

include stealing from shops, houses, and cars; and the unauthorized

taking of cars, usually for joy-riding. Theft seems to be associated more

with the younger offender. Crimes against the person (assaults, fighting,

robbery with violence), together with sex offences and, in industrially

developed countries, traffic offences, come next and are more common

among those aged from 17 to 21. Narcotic addiction and other types of

drug dependence, though not always criminal offences, are a relatively

new and disturbing form of deviance and seem to be increasing rapidly.

The 1991 UK National Prisons Survey found 38 percent of lock-up young

offenders had been in council care, against 2 percent of the population

as a whole. In 1992 in Britain, 110,400 children aged 10-16 were caught

breaking the law; 75 percent were boys. By far the most common crime

was theft or handling stolen goods. In 1993, nearly two-thirds of British

teenagers knew someone in their age group who breaks the law. Under-

age drinking and shoplifting were the most common offences, followed by

truancy, taking drugs, vandalism, bullying and joyriding. Over half cited

"to impress others" and boredom as the reason for offending, followed by

lack of money, peer pressure, lack of parental strictness and ability to get
 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

away with it. Throughout the 1980's juvenile crime fell in the UK:

100,000 cautioned or convicted in 1992, 37 percent fewer than a decade

earlier. The young population had also fallen, but only by 20 percent. In

1992, there were 3,764 male juveniles per 100,000 convicted or

cautioned; in 1982 the figure was 5,028. The fall was biggest among boys

aged 10-13: from 2,920 to 1,927.

The 1985 United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the

Administration of Juvenile Justice (“The Beijing Rules”) (United Nations,

1985) and the 1990 Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile

Delinquency (also referred to as “The Riyadh Guidelines”) (United

Nations, 1990) established basic actions to prevent children and young

people from engaging in criminal activities, as well as to protect the

human rights of youth already found to have broken the law. In 1989,

the focus on safeguarding the human rights of children and young

people was strengthened by the Convention on the Rights of the Child

(CRC) (United Nations, 1989), which entered into force in 1990. In 1995,

the United Nations adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth

(WPAY) (United Nations, 1995), providing a policy framework and

practical guidelines for national action and international support to

improve the situation of young people. Through the WPAY, the United
Nations puts forth policy actions specifically tailored to young people

between 15 and

University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

24 years of age. The World Programme of Action for Youth aims at

fostering conditions and mechanisms to promote improved well-being

and livelihoods among young people. As such, it requires that

Governments take effective action against violations of all human rights

and fundamental freedoms and promote non-discrimination, tolerance

and respect for diversity as well as religious and ethical values. The

WPAY focuses on 15 priority areas, among which is juvenile delinquency.

Under that priority area, it details proposals for action towards

preventing juvenile delinquency and rehabilitating young people who

have engaged in criminal activity. In 1997, the United Nations adopted

resolution 1997/30 on the administration of juvenile justice (United

Nations Economic and Social Council, 1997), which requests the

Secretary-General to consider the creation of a “coordination panel on

technical advice and assistance in juvenile justice”. Annexed to the

resolution are the “Guidelines for Action on Children in the Criminal

Justice System,” which lay out measures required to establish an

effective system of juvenile justice administration. The Guidelines refer to

“the goal of ensuring that: (a) The principles and provisions of the

Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations standards
and norms in juvenile justice are fully reflected in national and local

legislation policy and practice, in particular by establishing a child-

University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
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oriented juvenile justice system” (annex, sect. IIA, para. 11(a)).3 The

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United

Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)

work to assist Member States in their struggle to fight illicit drugs, crime

and terrorism and to pursue peace, development and social stability. In

addition, the United Nations Interagency Panel on Juvenile Justice

(IPJJ), works to facilitate and enhance the coordination of technical

assistance in juvenile justice reform.

In the Philippines, the Philippine government has apparently

undermined the severity of juvenile delinquency problem in society. This

neglect has contributed to the upsurge of juvenile-related crimes that

has caused enormous questions on the socio-political, economic as well

as security programs of the government. Approximately 1.5 million

street-children all over the country with an average annual estimated

increase of 6,365. Around 60,000 children are prostituted with an

annual average increase of 3,266, making the Philippines the fourth in

the list of countries with the most number of prostituted children. 1 out

of 3 Filipino children experience abuse. Based on data provided by the

Juvenile Justice Welfare Council (JJWC), there were at least 11,000

Children Conflict with the law (CICL) in 2009. The government’s media

agency has reported that, prior to the enactment of the Juvenile Justice

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COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
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and Welfare Act of 2006, “more than 52,000 Filipino children are in

detention or under custodial setting.”

“They suffer from all kinds of abuses, and some were meted out with

capital punishment,” the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) said in a

report on the 10th anniversary of the JJWC in May. The prevalence of

juvenile delinquency is primarily due to poverty, according to the

Philippine National Police (PNP) considering that theft is the common

offense committed by children. ABOUT 60 percent of juvenile crimes fall

under crimes against property. These include theft, robbery, malicious

mischief and estafa, statistics by the PNP from 2012 to 2015 revealed.

On the other hand, crimes against persons—which include rape,

attempted rape, acts of lasciviousness, physical injuries, murder,

attempted murder, seduction, grave threats, abduction and homicide—

constitute 36 percent of the crimes committed by children covering the

same period. In addition, 4 percent of the juvenile crimes from 2012 to

2015 involved violations against special laws, such as Republic Act (RA)

9165 (prohibited drugs), Presidential Decree 1866 (illegal possession of

firearms) and Presidential Decree 1602 (illegal gambling). Last year theft,

physical injury and rape were the top 3 crimes committed by children.

Theft cases recorded last year reached 3,715, while physical-injury cases

University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
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totaled 1,859. Rape cases involving child perpetrators reached 642. The

total number of theft cases from 2012 to 2015 reached 13,680.

Staggering, too, is the total number of physical-injury cases (6,062),

robbery (2,446 cases), rape (1,973 cases reported) and cases involving

prohibited drugs (818). What is shocking is the number of murder cases

involving children: 217. The latter means there were at least 4.5 murder

cases reported every month in the past 48 months ending 2015 that

involved children. In this year 2019, The Senate is set to hear bills

seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from the

current 15 years old to 12 years old, higher than the House justice

committee's proposal. The Senate committee on justice, chaired by

Senator Richard Gordon, is scheduled to hold an inquiry into the

proposed amendments to Republic Act (RA) No. 9344 or the Juvenile

Justice Act of 2006 and RA 10630 on Tuesday, January 22. President

Rodrigo Duterte has pushed for the lowering of the age of criminal

liability since his 2016 presidential campaign. But the Senate will act on

the proposal only that time. The Senate schedule comes after the House
panel is set to finalize its version calling for the age of criminal liability to

be lowered to 9 years old. The committee is set to hold a hearing on

Monday, January 21, which would be attended by House Speaker Gloria

Macapagal Arroyo. The House of Representatives approved on third and

University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

final reading House Bill 8858, which lowers the age of criminal liability

from 15 to just 12 years old, on Monday, January 28. The House of

Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 8858,

which lowers the age of criminal liability from 15 to just 12 years old, on

Monday, January 28. Under the bill, minors aged 12 to 17 years old who

commit serious crimes (e.g. murder, parricide, kidnapping, infanticide,

etc.) will be sent to the nearest Intensive Juvenile Intervention and

Support Center. Now that the bill has hurdled the lower house, it’s the

Senate’s turn to deliberate on it. The bill is known as one of President

Rodrigo Duterte’s pet bills. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, a

Duterte ally, has repeatedly and openly said that the Senate will also

prioritize the passage of the bill. In a Senate public hearing on January

22, he even presented crime data involving children and used it to

support his arguments on lowering the age of criminal responsibility. But

a closer look at the data, which is attributed to the Philippine National

Police (PNP), shows exactly the opposite. The bill initially proposed to

lower the age to as low as nine years old, but legislators increased it to
12 after facing a backlash from the public. PNP’s data shows that there

had been hundreds of cases involving children aged 11 and under since

2016. But comparing the total for each year, the numbers have

considerably and steadily gone down in the past three years.

University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

In 2018 alone, crimes involving nine to 11-year-olds decreased by 52

percent. Comparing this to the 2016 figure, it shows that “children in

conflict with law” (CICL) have decreased by more than half at 56 percent.

There were more CICL recorded by the PNP belonging to age groups 12 to

15 and 16 to 17, reaching thousands compared to the previous age

groups’ hundreds. Still, the trend had been the same for the past three

years. Except for an uptick in 2017 (it increased by two percent from the

previous year), CICL aged 16 to 17 decreased by 30 percent in 2018 from

the previous year and 29 percent from 2016. Similarly, CICL aged 12 to

15 have decreased year-on-year by 40 percent in 2018 and two percent

in 2017. It also declined by 42 percent from 2016 to 2018. If there’s one

thing in PNP’s dataset that could note an increase in CICL over the last

three years and probably help Sotto’s case, it could be found under the

“undetermined” section. The number of crimes recorded ballooned in

2018 to 1,035 cases from just 12 the previous year and five in 2016. But

then again, even though this means an 8,525-percent year-on-year

increase in 2018, the total number of cases under the undetermined

category remains minuscule at only 11 percent of the total. It should be

noted, too, that majority of the CICL cases recorded were done by

children belonging in the age group of 16 to 17 years old, at 53 percent.

This is followed by the age group of 12-15, at 32 percent.

University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

So as to why many legislators are hell-bent on lowering the age of

criminality to as low as nine is a question we need to ask the adults. 

The growing number of population in the City of Dagupan which varies

with the large number of young ages who were involve in many cases of

juvenile delinquency. The increasing number of delinquent acts

committed by young ages of this day affects their morality and behavior.

Ignoring their actions, be it a minor one, only serves to encourage them

to repeat their behavior, which can eventually lead them into committing

more delinquent acts. As they continue to tread this path, they grow

more confident in their ability to get away with anything and hence start

raising the level of their criminal offenses when they reach their majority

age. On the statistic provided by PC/MS Jailene DG. Aquino, Chief of

women and children protection Desk of Dagupan City Police Station, 25

number of CICL cases recorded from month of January to September.

Two cases of CICL ages 16 years old committed robbery in the month of

January, 5 cases in the month of February four of them ages 7, 3 and 5

violates R.A 8353 (Rape) and Two committed Acts of Lasciviousness on

the age of 13 (male) and 16 (Female); four in the month of march of

physical injury ages 15 years old, trespass to dwelling ages 16 years old,

R.A. 8353 ages 16 and 14. In the month of April one aging 16 years old

violates R.A. 9262 (VAWC), three of them committed theft

University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

in the age of 15, 15 and 14 and frustrated murder in the age of 17.

Another case of theft in the month of May in the age of 16, attempted

homicide age 16, another two 14 years old of CICL committed theft, and

a 17 years old who violates R.A. 8353 in the month of June. Another

case of theft committed by a 17 years old female in the month of July

and two 17 years old & a 14 years old in the month of August. In the

month of September, there are no CICL reported according to PC/MS

Jailene DG. Aquino.

 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Conceptual Framework

The general objective of this study is to find out the causes of

juvenile delinquency in the City of Dagupan. The input of the study

determined the category of juvenile delinquents. It is also to know the

common causes of juvenile delinquency in terms of physical, emotional

and psychological conditions experience by the minors. The study

gathered to understand the extent experience of juvenile delinquency in

minors along their family, environment, school and other

departments/agencies of government. The study gathered proposed

prevented measures to reduce delinquency in the said locale.

The process used in this study was data gathering survey. The data was

analyzed and interpret.

 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

The output of this study is determine the causes of juvenile

delinquency in the City of Dagupan and give some possible solution
regarding this subject.

Figure I

Research Pradigm
Input Process Output

Category of Juvenile Accumulation of

Delinquency gathered data
which causes
Common causes in Survey juvenile delinquency
terms of physical, and preventive
emotional and measures to
psychological reduce it
conditions Analysis of the
experience by the Data gathered
minors

factors of juvenile
delinquency in
Dagupan City along
their family,
environment, school
other departments/
agencies of government

Proposed prevented
Measures to reduce
Delinquency in the
City of Dagupan

Feedback
 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Statement of the Problem

The study determined the cause of juvenile delinquency in the City

of Dagupan.

Specifically, the study sought to address the following problems.

1. How juvenile delinquents of DAGUPAN CITY categorized along the

following:

a. Age

b. Gender

c. Educational Attainment

d. Level of Residency

2. What common causes of Juvenile Delinquency experience by the

minors in the City of Dagupan in terms of the following conditions;

a. Physical

b. Emotional

c. Psychological
 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

3. To what extent are the factors of juvenile Delinquency in Dagupan

City in terms of the following groups:

a. Family

b. Environment

c. School

d. Other departments/agencies of government

4. What are proposed prevented measures to reduce delinquency in

the City of Dagupan?

Assumption of the study

The study assumed that:

1. The broad number of individual factors, individual capabilities,

competencies, social factors, family influences, family structure, family

interaction, social setting, peer influences, community factors and

neighborhood has been associated with the development of juvenile

delinquency.
 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
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Scope of the Limitation

The focus of this study was minor ages below 18 years of Dagupan

City. The study covers the causes of delinquents act committed by the

youth in the City of Dagupan.

The scope of the study is limited among the delinquent youths and

what the possible factors are affecting them to commits these delinquent

acts.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will redound to the benefit of certain

groups and precautionary measures to develop the youths out of

delinquency are as follows:

Students - most of delinquents are students aging 18 years

old below who are usually involved in violating the law and fearlessly

committing crime aggressively on their young ages.This group may use

this study to understand the causes of juvenile delinquency and to learn

the factors affecting the youth to commit delinquent acts.

Future researchers / the Researchers themselves - the

finding of this study will be serving as a good source of accurate and

useful information for them. This will serve as their guide on how to deal

with youth that are into delinquent acts and to establish good

relationship.
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COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
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parents, law enforcers, educational institutions and youth themselves to

develop deterrence , prevention and avoidance to delinquency.

Parents - Parents. The result of this study would be of

great help for them so that they would be aware of what leads the

juvenile/youth to become delinquent. This would lead them to

supplement the necessary affection, guidance, monitoring and other

needs of the child that they should provide.

Police Officers - They would gain knowledge on what

leads the youth to engage in delinquent acts and be guided in

conducting seminars or symposium for public awareness regarding

Juvenile Delinquency as part of their Police Community Relation

program. With the result of this study, law enforcers would be able to

deal with prudence not only the symptoms of criminal acts but also their

causes.

Local Government - Through this study, they would be

guided in formulating prevention programs designed to address the issue

of juvenile delinquency for which the local government may be of great

help in reducing the cases involving minors.

 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Social Workers - This would serve as a guide for them in

dealing with youth offenders, specifically in counseling and giving

them treatment in order to redirect their minds not to commit crimes.

Teachers/Criminology Professors - They would be able to identify

on what causes the youth to become delinquent and through this

study they could extend more guidance not only to their students but

also to their family members and relatives to avoid doing delinquent acts.

Definition of Terms
The following terms are conceptually defined:

Juvenile. A child or young person who is not yet old enough to be

regarded as an adult or the age of majority (usually 18).

Delinquency. An offense or misdeed, usually of a minor nature,

especially one committed by a young person.

Juvenile Delinquency. The destruction of property and other

criminal behavior that is committed by young people who are not old

enough to be legally considered as adults.

Parents. Persons who are responsible in the development of the

child’s physical, mental and spiritual condition.

Precautionary measures. The preventative and anticipatory

actions in order to deter and lessen the number of juvenile delinquents.

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COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
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Physical. Body connected conditions that affects juvenile

delinquency

Emotional. Refers to the person’s emotion affecting them to

commit delinquent acts.

Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents the related literature and studies on the

causes of juvenile delinquency in the City of Dagupan.

Conceptual Literature

Hossain (2011) claims that juvenile delinquency is almost an outcome of

rapid urbanization and industrialization and has almost become a

universal problem in most of the industrialized countries. No single

cause or simple explanation for the development of delinquent behavior

but there are different causes of delinquency namely: family aspect of

delinquency, physical and biological factor. An online article entitled

Juvenile Delinquency (2009) exposes that “ A youth, for the sake of being

a part of something that could protect him will join a gang and throw

chaos to the society that reject him; a youth, who just wants to prove

something will be a rebel to his family; a youth, who just wants to

escape from his miserable life will do foolish crimes; and innocent

youth yet dangerous; a naïve youth yet mature;

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a youth supposed to study at school, expected to be the next leader, an

asset turned liability of our society”. In addition, another article

“Juvenile Delinquency”, (2003) finds that children who receive

adequate parental supervision are less likely to engage in criminal

activities. On the other hand, dysfunctional family settings

characterized by conflict, inadequate parental control, weak internal

linkages and integration and premature autonomy are closely

associated with juvenile delinquency. Further, the article elaborates that

families involved in criminal activities tend to push their younger

members towards violating the law. More than two-thirds of those

interviewed had relatives who were incarcerated; 25% was a father and

another 25% a brother or sister.

The harsh and abusive rearing of the child also contributes to the

development of violent behavior. Maltreated children tend to commit

more crime in adulthood compared to non-maltreated children

(Honkatukia & Kivivuori, 2006).

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Foreign Studies

Factors Contributing to Juvenile Delinquency

Family

Studies show that children who receive adequate parental

supervision are less likely to engage in criminal activities. Dysfunctional

family settings—characterized by conflict, inadequate parental control,

weak internal linkages and integration, and premature autonomy—are

closely associated with juvenile delinquency. Children in disadvantaged

families that have few opportunities for legitimate employment and face a

higher risk of social exclusion are overrepresented among offenders.

Physical Factors

Malnutrition which may cause inertia and mental sluggishness or

hyper excitability and nervousness in a child. Any of these conditions

may lead to delinquency . The child may become the sport of bad

suggestion or the tool of his own feelings and impulses or he may

compensate for his disabilities in delinquent conduct.

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Developmental aberrations may be compensatory in nature

where development is delayed and poor, the boy wishing to prove his

manhood to himself and others and the girl wishing to prove her

womanhood. Sex offenses may be of this kind. Abnormal growth

and development, particularly excessive growth and strength, may also

result in delinquency through the overwhelming energy and impulses to

action which they generate.

Physical defects and deformitieswill set the child at a

disadvantage when in competition with others both in and out of school.

He may try to restore self-confidence and a sense of superiority by

resorting to delinquency. In addition to setting the child at a

disadvantage in competition with others and possibly making him a

target for childish ridicule, speech defects block one of the most essential

means of self-expression and social expression for the individual. A child

with defective speech may become introverted and seclusive, partly

through shame and partly through inertia to overcome the handicap. He

may on the other hand become cynical and foster a grudge or a "get-even

complex," with consequent anti-social results.

Physical exuberanceis a particularly common cause of

delinquency in the case of strong healthy children, who are not provided

with adequate opportunity for vigorous activity. Delinquencies of the

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adventure, burglary, running away, and stealing types are often due to

such hyperactivity. Special instances of delinquency due to physical

exuberance are the sex offenses. Many of the young girls who get into

court do so on this account. Superabundant energy often goes along with

excess of "libido" or sexual energy which the girl in her teens has not

learned to understand or control.

Drug addiction play a part in the causation of crime in later

adolescence and more particularly in adulthood. It is a delinquency in

itself, but, like truancy, it may also be a causal factor in other

delinquency, such as stealing, sex offenses, or disturbing the peace.' A

great variety of mental, physical, and environmental factors contribute to

drug addiction as to any other form of undesirable behavior.

Other ailmentsmay interfere with the child's achievements in

normal competition and cause him to resort to delinquency for relief from

the mental conflict involved. They may also directly cause somekinds of

delinquency, for instance painful irritation may result in outbursts of

temper and violence.

Emotional Conditions

Emotional Condition relationship between delinquencies is an

underlying symptom of emotional disorder. Many delinquent acts
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committed by youths who are emotionally disturbed and that some

usually normal-looking people commit criminal acts when under great

emotional stress which is cause of incarceration, mistreatment, abuse,

exploitation, bullying and other contributing factor to the emotional

disturbance of the child.

Psychological Defects and Disorders

This conditions such as Psychoses, Psychoneuroses, Psychopathic

etc.make the youths to become delinquents as a result of distortion in

their personality and their ideas and perception of the world around

them. They do not usually plan their crimes but their distorted view of

reality and their delusional thoughts may compel them to commit weird

acts that transgress the law.

Economic and Social factors

Juvenile delinquency is driven by the negative consequences of

social and economic development, in particular economic crises, political

instability, and the weakening of major institutions (including the State,

systems of public education and public assistance, and the family).

Socio-economic instability is often linked to persistent unemployment

and low incomes among the young, which can increase the likelihood of

their involvement in criminal activity

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Peer Influence

A number of studies have shown that juvenile gang members consider

their group a family. For adolescents constantly facing violence,

belonging to a gang can provide protection within the neighborhood. In

some areas those who are not involved in gangs continually face the

threat of assault, oppression, harassment or extortion on the street or at

school. Peer group are closely tied to delinquent behaviors. Youths who

report inadequate or strained peer relations, who say they are not

popular with the opposite sex, are the ones most likely to become

delinquent. The weight of the empirical evidence indicates that youths

who are loyal to delinquent friends, belong to gangs, and those who have

“bad companions” are the ones most likely to commit crimes and engage

in violence.

Cultural factors

Delinquent behaviour often occurs in social settings in which the

norms for acceptable behaviour have broken down. Under such

circumstances many of the common rules that deter people from

committing socially unacceptable acts may lose their relevance for some

members of society. They respond to the traumatizing and destructive

changes in the social reality by engaging in rebellious, deviant or even

criminal activities.
 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Local Studies

According to Villanueva (2006), “Juvenile delinquency is a major

problem that a society suffers from and will continue to suffer until there

is a significant social and economic change taking place”. Ngale (2009)

emphasizes that “monitoring becomes increasingly important as children

move into adolescence and spend less time under the direct supervision

of parents or other adults and more time with peer.” Smith, Tolan,

Loeber & Henry (1998) find that parental conflict and paternal

aggressiveness predicted violent offending, whereas, lack of maternal

affection and paternal criminality predicted involvement in property

crimes. In addition Ngale (2009) says that “juvenile delinquent acts are

the direct consequences of their family’s economic disempowerment,

permissive parenting style, and parent’s heavy job-time overload”.

Moreover, Ngale (2009) reveals that in the absence of moral,

psychological and financial viability at home, the children are forced to

seek to “survive” beyond the family context. Juvenile delinquency in this

case is an escape from a family system which is neither empowered nor

empowering. Verwijs (2002) finds that in the final years of the Marcos

era, crime became hardened in the street. Delinquent youth doubled

from 3,814 in 1987 to 6, 778 in 1989. The majority (59.1%) apprehended

 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

were between 17 and 21 years old, while another 31.8% were between 13

and 16 years old. This situation is based on data given by the

Department of Social Welfare.

The peace officers in the country are concerned with all types of youth in

a community but the major portion of work with the youth is more on

delinquency and prevention activities. The youth apprehended by peace

officers after the commission of a crime are directly turned over to the

City Social Welfare Development Office since they are considered as a

minor and are not criminally liable. They are under the protection of

Republic Act (R.A) 9344 (amended by R.A. 10630, lowering the age of

criminal liability from 15 to 12 years old) otherwise known as Juvenile

Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. The figures from the Philippine National

Police showed a total of 2,158 cases involving underage offenders which

were reported to the PNP Women and Children Protection Center. Half of

them have theft cases committed from January to December of 2008.

Crimes involving minors rose by 18%. Cases of drug use also rose from

113 in 2007 to 145 in 2008. This means that there is an increase at

about 28% (Quismundo, 2009).

According to Laudie Salud A. Raras, Officer-in-charge from Ozamiz City

Social Welfare Development office, that from the year 2007 – 2011 there

is a decrease of reported cases involving the children-in-conflict with the

law. The gathered data show that most of the time majority of the child-

in-conflict with the law are males while the females as law breaker

occupy lesser in number. It can be noticed also on the information

obtained that though cases of breaking the law was reported to the office

responsible on the issue regarding the youth, there were only very few

formal suit filed against them and sometimes there is even no case filed.

This means that the other offended party is not interested in filing a case

in the proper court to prosecute the youth offenders (Appendix F).

In order that the youth would become productive elements of the society,

they must be reminded that they have committed mistakes so that the

expected reformation follows. In the cases where there is commission or

omission of an act which are criminal in nature, the arresting officer is

duty bound to file the appropriate complaint since there acts are

considered in violation against the state and the people of the Philippines

in which they are deemed to be the representative.

 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Chapter III
RESEARCH DESIGN
This chapter presents the methods of research that was employed

by the researchers to gather necessary data. The methodology includes

discussion of the research design that was used, the source of data,

including the respondents and locale, the data gathering tool, and how

the data will be statistically presented.

Research Method Used

This study made use of the descriptive assessment method of

research to assess the causes of juvenile delinquency in the City of

Dagupan. The researcher considered the collective assertion of Best

(1994), Aquino (1992), Leedy (1993) and Rivera & Rivera (2007) that the

descriptive method is the most appropriate method in this investigation

for gathering data because it will be used to discover facts upon which

professional judgment could be based. Polit and Hungler (1998) further

defined descriptive research as one that deals with studies that have as

their main objective, the accurate portrayal of the characteristics of

persons, situations or groups and/or the frequency with which certain

phenomena occur. The purpose of descriptive research is not only to

describe a given state of affairs as fully as possible (Abulencia, 2001) nor

to describe a phenomenon or a condition but also to understand the

same to be able to create theories and analyses (Mark, 1996 and Green,

2001).

Locale and Respondents of the Study

The study will be carried out in two barangays of Dagupan City

namely: (1) Tebeng and (2) Pogo Chico. Although there are many

barangays in Dagupan City, these selected barangays have the highest

population with the age group of 5 to 15 years old according from the

2015 Census.

The study requires two hundred (200) respondents from the two(2)

barangays in Dagupan City. In which these respondents are minors

ranging 9 to 18 years above and having residency from below 5 to 16

years and above in Dagupan City. The respondents are selective using

purposive sampling technique. Due to the qualities the informant

possesses the purposive sampling technique also called judgement

sampling, where in it is the deliberate choice of an informant. Simply put

the researchers decides what needs to be known and sets out to find the

people who can and are willing to provide the information by virtue of

knowledge or experience. ( Lewis, J. & Sheppard, S., 2006).

 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Research Instrument
The Study uses survey questionnaire that the researchers formed

in a convenient manner providing a checklist for respondents to answer

by assessing the causes of juvenile delinquency in Dagupan City. The

researchers designed a survey questionnaire for the causes of juvenile

delinquency in Dagupan City as primary data gathering instrument.

The formed survey questionnaire is consists of four (4) parts.

(1) Profile of the Respondents by Name (optional), Age, Gender,

Educational Attainment, Length of Residency.

(2) Common causes of Juvenile Delinquency experience by the minors

in the City of Dagupan in terms their conditions.

(3) The factors of juvenile Delinquency in Dagupan City in terms of the

following groups:

a. Family

b. Environment

c. School

d. Other departments/agencies of government

(4) Proposed prevented measures to reduce delinquency in the City

of Dagupan
 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Research Procedure

In gathering the needed data, a survey questionnaire was used to

be answered by the respondents. The researchers personally

administer the survey questionnaire after obtaining permission from

the Barangay Captain and officials of two (20 respected barangays.

The researchers explained the content of the questionnaire for better

comprehension and to inform respondents as well their parents that

their respected and voluntary cooperation and participation was

important for the success of the study. The researchers will also

retrieve them after giving the respondents ample time to analayze and

answer the questions presented. The data collected from the survey

was summarized by area. The preliminary data analysis was consisted

of summarize responses to each survey. Data that tallied, tabulated

and collated was subjected to data analysis using appropriate

statistical tools.
 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Chapter IV
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETRATION

This chapter presents, analyzes and interprets the data collected.

The data pertained the profile of the respondents according to group

where they belong and the predictors of each factor of delinquent acts

that pushed the youth to engage in breaking the law.

Profile of the Respondnents

In the profile of the respondents, names of the respondents are optional.

Age, gender, educational attainment and length of residencies are included. The

data of these factors are indicated in tables.

Table 4.1

Profile of the Respondents as to Age

Age Frequency Percentage

9 – 12 years old 26 13
15 – 17 years old 116 58
18 years old and above 58 29
TOTAL 200 100

In the table 4.1 presents the age distribution of the respondents. Majority of one

hundred sixteen or (58%) of the respondents were on age 15 to 17 years old

followed by fifty-eight or (29%) were on age of 18 years old

University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City
and above while with the frequency of twenty-six or (13%) of the respondents

belongs to the age group of 7 to 10 years old. It implifies that the majority of the

respondents are teenagers or in adolescent stage.

Table 4.2

Profile of Respondents as to Gender

Sex Frequency Percentage (%)

Male 126 63
Female 74 37
TOTAL 200 100

For the Table 4.2, it implies that the male gender responds one hundred
twenty-six or (63%) while female have frequency of seventy-four or (37%).

Table 4.3
Profile of the Respondents as to Educational attainment

Educational Attainment Frequency Percentage (%)

Elementary 13 6.5

High School 133 66.5

Tertiary 54 27
Total 200 100

Table 4.3 presents the educational attainment of the respondents, the

data revealed that majority of one hundred thirty-three or (66.5%) of the
respondents are in high school level followed by Tertiary level with fifty-four or
(27%) while Elementary level having a frequency of thirteen or (6.5%) fell in the
last place as to educational attainment.
 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Table 4.4

Profile of the respondents as to Lengths of Residency

Length of Residency Frequency Percentage (%)

0 – 5 years 12 6
6 – 10 years 45 22.5
11 years and above 143 71.5
Total 200 100

For the table 4.4, majority revealed that those 11 years and above of residency

has one hundred and forty-three of frequency or (71%). Fell in the second spot

are those who have 6 – 10 years of residency having forty-five or (22.5%)

followed by 0 – 5 years of residency having a frequency of twelve or (6%).

Table 4.5

Causes of Juvenile Delinquency experience by the minors

in the City of Dagupan in terms of Physical Conditions

Physical Condition 4 3 2 1 Mean DE

Malnutrition 75 82 39 11 3.12 VMA
Developmental Aberration 88 82 28 3 3.29 VMA
Physical Defects & Deformities 104 59 34 2 3.18 VMA
Physical exurbance 86 63 39 12 3.12 VMA
Weighted Mean: 3.26 Descriptive Equivalence: Very much agree
 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

For the table 4.5 shows the causes of juvenile delinquency experience by the

minors in the City of Dagupan in terms of their physical condition. Ased on the

weighted mean score of describe as very much agree. It implies that the

respondent very much agree in all given statements.

Table 4.6

Causes of Juvenile Delinquency experience by the minors

in the City of Dagupan in terms of Emotional Conditions

Emotional Condition 4 3 2 1 Mean DE

Introversion and egocentrism 96 62 35 7 3.24 VMA
Revengefulness 95 61 34 10 3.21 VMA
Adolescent emotional instability 88 79 31 7 3.22 VMA
Abnormalities of instinct and emotion 81 68 35 6 3.22 VMA
Weighted Mean: 3.23 Descriptive Equivalence: Very much agree
For the table 4.6 presents the causes of juvenile delinquency experience

by the minors in the City of Dagupan in terms of their emotional condition.

Based on the weighted mean score of 3.23 described as very much agree. The

first statement got the highest mean score of 3.24 results described as strongly

agree. Followed by the third and fourth statement with the mean score of 3.22

describes as very much agree while the second statement fell in the last with

the mean score of 3.21 described as very much agree.

 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Table 4.7

Causes of Juvenile Delinquency experience by the minors

in the City of Dagupan in terms of Psychological Conditions

Psychological Condition 4 3 2 1 Mean DE

Mental defect 100 69 30 1 3.94 VMA
Psychopathic 71 88 37 4 3.13 VMA
Psychoses 91 71 30 8 3.23 VMA
Uneven mental development 93 75 32 2 3.32 VMA
Weighted Mean: 3.48 Descriptive Equivalence: Very much agree
Table 4.7 shows that the causes of juvenile delinquency experience by the

minors in the City of Dagupan in terms of their psychological conditions. Based

on the weighted mean score of 3.48 and described as very much agree. The

first statement has the highest mean score followed by the last statement with a

mean score of 3.32 described as strongly agree. The third statement has a mean

score of 3.23 as described as very much agree and the second statement has

the lowes mean score of 3.13 describe as very much agree.

 University of Luzon
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City

Table 4.8

Family as Factor of juvenile Delinquency in Dagupan City

Family 4 3 2 1 Mean DE
Parental Conflict/Conflict 89 73 36 2 3.24 VMA
between the parents
Parental aggressiveness 102 62 31 5 3.31 VMA
Coercive parenting 112 55 25 8 3.34 VMA
Permissive parenting style 103 65 30 2 3.35 VMA
Lack of parental guidance 115 57 25 3 3.40 VMA
Weighted Mean: 3.33 Descriptive Equivalence: Very much agree
For the Table 4.8 Family as factor of juvenile delinquency in Dagupan

City from. Based on the weighted mean score of 3.33 describe as very much

agree. The last statement has the highest mean score of 3.33 describe as

strongly agree followed by the fourth statement with a mean score of 3.35, third

statement with a mean score of 3.34, second with the mean socre of 3.31 and

lastly, the first statement with a mean score of 3.24 described as very much

agree.
 Table 4.9

Environment as Factor of juvenile Delinquency in Dagupan City

Environment 4 3 2 1 Mean DE
Deviant peers influence 112 55 27 6 3.24 VMA
Drug addiction 130 57 10 3 3.43 VMA
Sadistic attitude 56 75 44 25 2.90 A
Late night – outings 103 64 31 2 3.35 VMA
Weighted Mean: 3.14 Descriptive Equivalence: Very much agree

For the Table 4.9 environment as a factor of juvenile delinquency

in Dagupan City. Based on the weighted mean score of 3.14 describe as

very much agree. The second statement has the highest mean score of

3.43 followed by the last statement with a mean score of 3.35, first

statement with a mean score of 3.24 and last is the third statement with

a mean score of 2.90.

Table 4.10

School as Factor of juvenile Delinquency in Dagupan City

School 4 3 2 1 Mean DE
Running from school VMA
102 63 30 5 3.31
Failure of school in character VMA
development 101 60 31 8 3.31

Failure of school to use methods VMA

that avoid conditions of
114 56 24 6 3.40
frustrations

Lack of school facilities for

curricular and extra-curricular
97 58 30 15 3.19 VMA
activities

Weighted Mean: 3.30 Descriptive Equivalence: Very much agree

For the Table 4.10 presents the school as a factor of juvenile delinquency

in Dagupan City. Based on the weighted mean score of 3.30 describe as

very much agree. The third statement has the highest mean score of 3.40
described as very much agree followed by the first and second statement

with a mean score of 3.31 and the fourth statement has the lowest mean

score of 3.19 and describes as very much agree.

Table 4.11

Other Department/Agencies of the Government as Factor of juvenile

Delinquency in Dagupan City
School 4 3 2 1 Mean DE
Police carelessness and unfair VMA
104 69 26 1 3.8
treatment
Political Interference 91 72 29 8 3.23 VMA
Unfair decisions of the court 72 87 36 5 3.13 VMA
Influence from mass media (t.v, VMA
magazines, comic, newspaper & 105 63 30 2 3.89
etc)
Weighted Mean: 3.51 Descriptive Equivalence: Very much agree

Table 4.11 shows that other Department/Agencies of the government as

factor of juvenile delinquency in Dagupan City. Based on the weighted

mean score of 3.51 and described as very much agree. The last

statement has the highest mean with mean score of 3.89 followed by first

statement with a mean score of 3.8 then the second with the mean score

of 3.23 and the last is the third statement with a mean score of 3.13.
 Table 12

Proposed Prevented Measures to Reduce Delinquency

in the City of Dagupan

Preventive measure 4 3 2 1 Mean DE

Strong Parental Guidance 110 69 15 6 3.8 VMA
Implementation of Curfew 89 72 29 10 3.23 VMA
Social work activities and VMA
70 83 37 10 3.13
Seminars
Lower the Age of Criminal Liability 58 46 69 27 2.8 SA
Weighted Mean: 3.24 Descriptive Equivalence: Very much agree

Table 4.12 shows the proposed preventive measures to reduce

delinquency in the City of Dagupan. Based on the weighted mean score

of 3.24 and described as very much agree.

 Chapter V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the summary of findings, the conclusions

and recmmendation of the study entitled “ Causes of Juvenile

Delinquency in the City of Dagupan”. Its purpose is to know possible

causes of delinquent acts and its preventive measures.

The study looked into the four factors that contribute on juvenile

delinquent acts namely family, environment, school and other

department or agencies of the government. This investigated also which

among the factors pushes at all times or never pushes the youth to

engage in law breaking activities. The two hundred respondents’

perception was analyzed through the four qualitative description which

are not agree, slightly agree, agree or very much agree for the cause of

juvenile delinquent acts.

The researchers made questionnaire was used as the main tool to

gather the data. Statistically, the answers of the respondents for every

survey questionnaire were interpreted using the weighted mean with the

corresponding hypothetical mean range. In addition, percentage and

frequency distribution were also utilized in this study.

 The problems dealt on the following:

1. How juvenile delinquents of DAGUPAN CITY categorized along the

following:

a. Age

b. Gender

c. Educational Attainment

d. Level of Residency

2. What common causes of Juvenile Delinquency experience by the

minors in the City of Dagupan in terms of the following conditions;

a. Physical

b. Emotional

c. Psychological

3. To what extent are the factors of juvenile Delinquency in Dagupan

City in terms of the following groups:

a. Family

b. Environment

c. School

d. Other departments/agencies of government

4. What are proposed prevented measures to reduce delinquency in

the City of Dagupan?

Findings

The study revealed the following relevant findings:

The respondents very much agree that physical, emotional and

psychological health has an effect on the part of the child to commit

delinquent acts. The respondents very much agree that the family

pushes the youth `to commit delinquent acts The environment was

perceived by the respondents who very much agree it is also a factor that

pushes the young ones to break the law. In addition, respondents

demonstrated that environment would push the youth to commit wrong

doings. The school was found by the teachers, students and parents as a

ground that pushes the youth to engage in the commission of acts

against the law. However, police officers believed that school is often the

factor that pushes the youth to do erroneous acts. Other departments or

agencies of the government were judged by respondents as they very

much agree that also push the youth to commit crime because of their

political and corrupt system.

Conclusion

After analyzing the data gathered, the researchers concluded that

respondents have different perceptions as to what factor pushes the

youth to become delinquent. It can be noted that none of the

respondents’ factors pushes the youth always to break the law. The

environment is observed that it causes the youth to misbehave. In

addition, the family and school occasionally cause the juvenile to have
conflict with law. Furthermore, among the respondents, it seems that

there are a lot of contributory factors affecting the behavior and

personality of a child to become a juvenile delinquent. Based on the

proposed preventive measure, most of the respondent have a high mean

score on strong parental guidance which is the foundation of the child

will start from his family. Implementation of curfew is also a one way of

reducing the number of cases according to the PNP Chief of WCPD of

Dagupan City Police Station. According to PC/MS Jailene DG Aquino,

curfew hour will serve as deterrent to the young ages to go outside their

houses in the time that they are supposed to be inside their house and

studying instead. Respondents are very much agree on conducting Social

Work activities and seminars, in order for them to educate them about

the consequences that they will face if they commit delinquent acts.

While Respondents are slightly agree on the lowering of criminal liability.

Recommendations

The recommendations that the researchers presented below are based on

the findings disclosed in the study. These are:

Parents should avoid quarreling in front of their children because it

could lead them to engage in delinquent acts. Also they must show love

to their children and must not inflict abusive disciplinary actions.

The parents should be aware of the activities that their children are into

and they must also know who are the friends of their children and what

they do together.
 Police officers shall maintain their police visibility throughout day

and night so that crimes could be prevented, especially when

young people roam around the street during late nights.

 Local government should conduct prevention programs that will

divert the attention of the youth from engaging in delinquent acts

to productive ones.

 Social workers should create appropriate rehabilitation programs

for the juvenile offenders to redirect their minds and avoid the

commission of any other crime.

 Teachers/Professors must be creative in their teaching techniques

so that the students would become interested and attentive in their

classes and they would stay in school until classes end.

 The Department of Criminal Justice Education should impart more

knowledge to the students on how to prevent juvenile delinquency

and to impose routines or procedures for the students to abide.

 Future researchers must go deeper in this paper and conduct

studies related to this issue.