Definition

Noun: 1. Antisocial or criminal behavior by a minor: The act of committing crimes or offenses by a young person, typically one below the age at which ordinary criminal prosecution is possible. It refers to the pattern of illegal actions, not a single act. * The city launched a new program to address the root causes of juvenile delinquency. * Studies often examine the link between family structure and rates of juvenile delinquency.

Usage Examples

• The social worker specialized in cases of juvenile delinquency.
• Preventing juvenile delinquency requires community-wide effort.
• The judge considered the defendant's history of juvenile delinquency before making a ruling.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in sociological, psychological, and legal contexts to discuss the phenomenon as a social issue, rather than describing an individual's single act.
• It can be part of compound nouns in formal writing, such as "juvenile delinquency prevention programs" or "juvenile delinquency rates."

Variants and Related Words

• Delinquency (noun): A broader term for minor crime or neglect of duty, which can apply to adults or juveniles. "Juvenile delinquency" specifies the age group.
• Delinquent (noun/adjective):
  • (Noun) A person, typically young, who commits a crime or misdeed. The court handles delinquents separately from adult criminals.
  • (Adjective) Failing in one's duty or law; related to crime. He was charged with delinquent behavior.
• Status offense (noun): A type of juvenile delinquency that involves an act that is only illegal because of the offender's status as a minor (e.g., truancy, running away from home).

Synonyms

• Youth crime
• Minor offending
• Youthful misconduct (less formal)

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Juvenile justice system: The network of courts, probation, and correctional facilities designed to handle juvenile delinquency cases.
• At-risk youth: A term for young people seen as having a higher probability of engaging in juvenile delinquency.

Noun

1. an antisocial misdeed in violation of the law by a minor