Delinquency Issue in Namibia

It is difficult to decide exactly which behaviors make up juvenile delinquency and identify who juvenile delinquents are for the reason that societal views of children change from place to place and over time. The age of the offender is the most essential factor in differentiating between crime and delinquency. One way to characterize juvenile delinquency is to locate the behavior of children on a series of four continua representing duration, frequency, priority and seriousness of the behavior. Discussed herein, with reference to Namibia, is of the fact that delinquency covers many aspect of unacceptable behavior (Belda 2007).

Discussion

One of the possible causes that can be associated with this is the country’s socio-economic circumstances. The overwhelming majority of delinquents in Namibia commit a few minor acts of delinquency on a consistent basis during their teenage years for the reason that they need to support themselves (Hirschi 2002). Some children may commit minor acts of delinquency and only one or more serious crimes in their later stage of development. These individuals usually demonstrate delinquent behavior to evade poverty and unequal social services.

According to Regoli et al. (2011), the most serious delinquents as identified by the Namibian government are known as Life-course persistent offenders. Within this category, delinquents engage in antisocial behavior of one sort or another at every stage of life. What’s more, this category is deeply committed to problematic behavior and has committed many serious offenses over an extended period. The individual within this setting is therefore regarded as a chronic delinquent offender.

The Namibian Government’s effort of putting to a stop delinquent behavior dates back to 1994, when a Legal Assistance Centre was established. On its part, the Legal Assistance Centre in association with the government tried to ensure that they engage their youth in useful ventures that will ensure that the youth are helped to engage in income generating activities through the exploration, realization and development of skill and talent. By so doing, the rate at which the youths engage in delinquent activities will reduce slowly but steadily (Tshiwula 2000).

Conclusion

The age of the offender is the most essential factor in differentiating between crime and delinquency. Life-course persistent offenders are the most serious delinquents as identified by the Namibian government. The Namibian Government’s effort of stopping delinquent behavior dates back to 1994, when a Legal Assistance Centre was established. The center guides, counsels as well as promote talents and skills of the youths thus creating self-employment.

References

Belda, P. (2007). Namibia. Madrid: Ebizguides.

Hirschi, T. (2002). Causes of delinquency. New Brunswick, N.J: Transaction Publishers.

Regoli, R. M., Hewitt, J. D., & DeLisi, M. (2011). Delinquency in society: The essentials. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Tshiwula, L. (2000). Crime and delinquency in Namibia. Pretoria: Kagiso Publishers.