An evaluation of the impact of gender, racial/ethnic background, social class, family and peer influence on juvenile delinquency

The increase in criminal behavior among the youth population in Trinidad and Tobago has been of national concern for some time. Reports of serious crime – murder, attack with a weapon, rape, larceny, kidnapping - allegedly committed by school students and reported in the press, have given rise to great concern and stimulated resultant explanations from lay persons and policy makers alike. The reasons for and the appropriate methods of dealing with this relatively new phenomenon in the Trinidad context, have abounded and are discussed in various public fora. However, this upsurge has given rise to what are the causal factors for the extent and forms of delinquency. The dynamics of gender, race, social class, family and peer influence will be examine to demonstrate how they are related to the upsurge in delinquency and criminal activities in this youth section of the population.