Factors Influencing Juvenile Delinquencies Among Juvenile
[A CASE STUDY OF BORSTAL TRAINING INSTITUTE GANMO, KWARA STATE.]

From the foregoing, the outcomes of family factors are critically reviewed as follow:
(a)    Family factors and juvenile violence:
The body of research on antecedents of violent behaviour is vast, covering the gamut from early aggression, witnessing violence in homes and neighborhoods, to being a victim and then a perpetrator of violence. When conditions in opposition to connectedness are present such as harsh discipline, lack of parental involvement, family conflict, parental criminality, child abuse and/or neglect, and rejection, they form a climate in which, according to some, children may be “literally trained to be aggressive during episodes of conflict with family members (Forgatch and Patterson 1998).
    Protective factors include attachment to one or more family members who have high expectations and healthy behaviours of their own (Catalano, Loeber, et al. 1999). Using Add Health Data, Franke found that differences between young people involved in an escaling spectrum of violent behaviours (a physical fight, injuring someone, putting a knife or gun, and shooting/stabbing someone) were at least partly related to family, cohesion, family structure, gender, race/ethnicity – with family cohesion serving as a protective factor in all four types of violence, across racial/ethnic groups (Franke, 2000).
    Associations with deviant or pro-social peers are important direct determinants of risking behaviour, and again parents can indirectly influence the behaviour by influencing the choice of peers. Smith et.al found that among 384 low-income, African-American youth (aged 10 – 15), the presence of prosocial friends was a stronger factor for adolescent violence avoidance, compared to younger children. However, the closeness of the parent – child bond was an important factor in choosing friends for both age groups (Smith, Fky et.al, 2001).