Thesis Abstract 1. Title

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
University of Luzon
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
University of Luzon
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
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.

University of Luzon
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;

University of Luzon
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).

University of Luzon
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.

University of Luzon
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

University of Luzon
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
University of Luzon
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

University of Luzon
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
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
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
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
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
(4) Proposed prevented measures to reduce delinquency in the City
of Dagupan
University of Luzon
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Table 4.7
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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.

Thesis Abstract 1. Title

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Thesis Abstract 1. Title

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Thesis Abstract 1. Title

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

University of Luzon

1. Title: CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN THE

2. Researchers: Yzrhael C. Serrano

Paul James L. Camagay

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

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.

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

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

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

criminal liability and be subjected to an intervention program, unless

subjected to the appropriate proceedings in accordance with this Act.

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

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

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.

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

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

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

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,

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

USSR and Yugoslavia. Juvenile delinquency has shown a sharp

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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