Criminality amongst youths : A study of risk factors and protective factors and what efforts are efficientregarding the preventive work of juvenile delinquency.

Juvenile delinquency is a social problem that is often discussed amongst the press and also criminologists. The aim of this study is to examine and mainly come to a closer understanding of what causes youths to become delinquent. Therefore, this study is going to examine the risk- and protective factors regarding juvenile delinquency. Furthermore, this study also examines what efforts are efficient regarding the preventive work of juvenile delinquency. The method used in this study is a systematic literature study based upon previous research interpreted by two theories, Merton’s strain theory and Hirschi’s social bond theory. To fulfill the purpose of the study a qualitative approach has been adapted. The results of this study shows that central factors such as leisure, school and the youth’s family and social network can be a risk factor as well as a protective factor depending on the social available support and context. Moreover, this study also shows that the adults regarding the youth’s life, both personal and professional, have a considerable responsibility over the youth in the efficient preventive work against juvenile delinquency. Also, a joint effort and collaboration between the parties is necessary to work against juvenile delinquency in an efficient way