Abstract

Juvenile delinquency is seen as one of the menace that destroys life and property in our society today. Because of the nature of crime committed by juvenile, parents, guidance, sponsors and well wishers are worried and disturbed about our future leaders. Therefore, this study seeks to look at delinquent behaviors among in-school children in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State. To address the problem, this study aims at finding out nature and prevalence, the causes of juvenile delinquency, the effects of juvenile delinquency and possible ways of preventing delinquent behaviors among in-school children. Social learning theory and social control theory were adopted in this study. The researcher adopted a survey research design and a semi structured in-depth interview. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents comprised the target of the study and four key-informants. Questionnaires and in-depth interview guide was the instrument used for data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), frequency tables and percentages (%) were employed in the data analysis. It was discovered that most children find it easier to indulge in juvenile delinquency at in lonely hidden places and delinquency is rooted in the kind of home the child is brought up. Delinquency in Nigeria is a persistent source of apprehension to parents, school authorities, government and the society at large and in all its ramifications, delinquency has destructive and dysfunctional effects on the lives of individuals involved. It was suggested that government should ensure that more counselors are drafted into schools and other establishments to help people who are maladjusted and there should be counseling unit in all schools where students can go to and present their problems for appropriate guidance.

                                                                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of The Study    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    1
1.2  Statement of the Problem    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    3
1.3  Research Questions    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -       4
1.4  Objectives of the Study    -    -    -    -    -    -    -     -  4
1.5. Significance of the Study     -    -    -    -    -    -    -  -  5
1.6. Scope and Limitation of the Study-    -    -    -    -    -  6
1.7. Definition of Key Terms    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    7

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Introduction    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   -  -   -   -   -   -   - - - - ---    - ---- --- -- - -    -   -- -- -- 8
2.2 The Nature and Prevalence of Delinquent Behaviours Among In-School Children -    -    -    8
2.3 The Causes of Delinquent Behaviors Among In-School Children-    -    --    -    -    -    -      -  12
2.3 The Effects of Delinquent Behaviors Among In-School Children-    -    --    -    -   -    -    -    -  25
2.4 Possible Ways of Preventing Delinquent Behaviors Among In-School Children-    -    -    -      31
2.4 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK-    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   -    -   -      -     -     -    -   -    -   -  41        
2.5.1 Social Learning Theory-    -    -    --    -    -    -    -    -    -  -   -   -   -   -   -  - -   -  -   -   -   -   - -41
2.5.2 Social Control Theory    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -     -   -   -  -   -   -   -   -  -    -   -   -   - -  -    44

CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -      -   -  - 46
3.2     Location of the study    -    -    -    -      -                46
3.2 Sources of Data Collection    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   47      
3.4 Sampling Technique    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   -   -  -  47
3.5 Methods of Data Collection    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   49
3.6 Method of Data Analysis    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - -50
3.7 Problems Encountered in the Field    -    -    -    -    -   50

CHAPTER FOUR
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
4.1 Introduction    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -     -   -  -  -  - ----  -      -       -       -      -      -      -      -      -     -    -52
4.2. Socio Demographic Data of the Respondents    -    -    -    -    -     -     -    -    -   -    -   -  -   -   -  -  -  -  - -52
 4.3 The Nature and Prevalence of Delinquent Behaviours Among In-School Children-    -                   -         54
   4.4 The Causes of Delinquent Behaviors Among In-School Children    -    -    -                  -                -  -  - 58
4.5 Effects of Delinquent Behaviors Among In-School Children-    -    -    -        -           -  -   - -   -  -  -  -  - -   64
4.6 Ways of Preventing Delinquent Behaviors Among In-School Children-        -    -             -  -  -  -  -  - -       68
4.7 Discussion of Findings    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -  -  - -    -  -  -  - -    -   -   -   -  -  -  -  -  -  - --    - - ----     69

CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.0 Introduction    -    -    -    --    -    -    -    -     78
5.1 Summary of Finding-    -    -    -    -    -    -   78
5.2 Conclusion    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   81
5.3 Recommendation    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    81
       REFERENCE    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    85
      Appendix I  QUESTIONNAIRE  -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   -93
     Appendix II    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -  - 96