Analysis of Youth Crime in Punjab Pakistan: An Empirical Study

Abstract

Criminality and juvenile delinquency are pervasive issues of global significance. The Pakistani government has demonstrated a significant inclination towards empirical and scientific study pertaining to the origins, prevention, management, and rehabilitation of juvenile delinquency. However, it was not fully cognizant of the magnitude of juvenile criminality until a more recent period. Therefore, the potential consequences of juvenile delinquency on the moral and social fabric of society in the foreseeable future are of significant concern. The research was carried out in the Faisalabad and Bhawalpur Districts of the Punjab Province, where two juvenile detention facilities and hostels for the rehabilitation of problematic youngsters are located. A sample of 221 juvenile offenders was obtained from prisons using a pretested and well-structured questionnaire for the purpose of data collection. The results of the study indicated that many factors, including media exposure, community environment, paternal influence, and parent-child conflict, were positively associated with juvenile delinquency. On the other hand, when family income was treated as a binary variable, the findings yielded conflicting outcomes. The study suggests that the implementation of media and community involvement, counseling services, and awareness campaigns is recommended in order to mitigate parent-child conflict.