Be Aware 
Definitions of at-risk youth and delinquency
Youth at risk often display a combination of the following behaviours: loss of interest in studies, dramatic fall in grades, truancy, tendency to defy school authority, use of vulgarities, smoking, sporting tattoo marks, aloofness, self-isolation, bullying others, displaying aggression, using violence at the slightest provocation, forming or associating with gangs, influencing others to join a gang, sustaining injuries consistent with involvement in fights and possessing weapons.
At-risk youth or children are those who are abusing drugs, alcohol, involved in delinquency and criminal activities.
A juvenile delinquent is defined as a child guilty of a criminal offence (e.g. an act of vandalism) or antisocial behaviour or whose conduct is Beyond Parental Control (BPC) and who may therefore be brought before a juvenile court.
In Singapore, the legal provision against juvenile delinquents is under the Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA) and comes under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court.
Risk Factors
Factors placing youth at risk include mixing with peers with a pro-criminal mindset. Having family members or friends in criminal activities also puts them at risk as youth are impressionable and easily influenced.
Lack of involvement in regular, consistent, structured, meaningful activities such as legal employment, education, co-curricular activities or pro-social religious groups increases the likelihood of at-risk behaviour. A teenager who is not in school, regularly absents himself or has run away from home is more at risk.
Living in an area with a lot of illegal activity and gang activity will place them at risk as they may be recruited into these illegal activities.
Teenagers who do not have close family support, parents / adult figures with positive values whom they can confide in or who can guide them are at risk.
On the other hand, youth who are actively committed to church, mosque or temple activities and who associate with positive role models and peers are less at-risk.
How Dads can Help
Dads need to connect with their teenager, showing concern, interest, discipline and setting clear, appropriate boundaries. Youth at risk often have a family profile of a combination of an authoritarian father and permissive mother or both parents are authoritarian or permissive.
The best parenting style is assertive with high but realistic expectations. Teaching good values, being caring without being smothering or promiscuous.
Allowing youth to face the consequences of their own actions enables teenagers to develop discipline and morals. Fathers must directly address objectionable behaviour and inform teenagers when their behaviour is illegal, wrong and that it will result in dire consequences if they persist.
It is important to work with school teachers, counsellors and youth workers in in the community to lead at-risk youth down the right path. Involve them in studies, work or positive social groups.
"But My Teen Isn't Responding To My Best Efforts"
If support and counselling by parents, teachers and counsellors is unsuccessful and the youth continues to be wayward, the parent may voluntarily file a complaint at Juvenile Court that the youth at-risk is Beyond Parental Control (BPC). BPC is a legal complaint made by parents / guardians at the Family and Juvenile Court if they are unable to control their child.
The Juvenile Court then calls for a Social Report from Child Welfare Service. The three possible outcomes of the Court Hearing is that firstly, the Complaint is discharged or withdrawn. Secondly, the youth could receive Statutory Supervision (Probation) or thirdly, the youth could be given an Approved Home Order and admitted to a Home. Parents can approach the Juvenile Court on Friday afternoons to file BPC.
"Help! My Teen Has Been Charged In Court!"
In Singapore, once a child / youth has been channelled into the legal system for delinquent behaviour, he will have will be channelled to either: Guidance Programme, Streetwise Programme, Probation, Boys Home / Girls Home or Reformative Training in the Singapore Prison, depending on the severity of the offences.
Guidelines for Youth Offenders
These guidelines are listed in order, according to the severity of offences committed by youths.
Youth offenders below 19 who commit less serious offences and petty crimes such as shoplifting and may be channelled to a 6-month Guidance Programme. The programme is aimed at helping young offenders recognize the seriousness of their acts, expose them to the consequences, and motivate them to change their ways.
Youths aged 13-18 with a record of gang activity or who have been associating with gang members, but deemed to have stronger family support and rehabilitation potential may be channelled into the Streetwise Programme.
Probation is a community-based programme administered by MCYS for more serious offenders for between six months to three years. Through regular reporting and rehabilitation programmes, the probationer learns positive behaviour and life skills to prepare him to lead an independent and socially responsible life. He will also have a curfew and must not commit new offences.
For very serious offences such as manslaughter, gang fights resulting in serious bodily injury or death, rape and drug use, youths above 19 will be sent to the Singapore Prison as a Young Prisoner or Reformative Trainee to serve their sentence in the Reformative Trainee Centre.
Useful websites:
1. Inter-Ministry Committee on Youth Crime (IMYC) - A resource website on various types of programmes (preventive & rehabilitative) for youths.
2. Juvenile Court of Singapore - Information on legal provision for juveniles.
3. Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports Singapore (MCYS Homepage).
4. Singapore Prison Service website.
5. Singapore Police Force Information Booklet on Police Procedures.
6. Children At Risk : A Handbook For Teachers, 2006.
References:
Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (1995). Level of Service Inventory (Revised). Canada.
Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (2002). Psychology of criminal conduct (3rd ed.). Cincinnati, OH: Anderson.
Calhoun, C., Light, D., & Keller, S. (1989). Sociology (5th. ed.). Alfred A. Knopf: New York.
Children At Risk : A Handbook For Teachers (2006). Joint Publication by Ministry of
Community Development, Youth and Sports, National Council of Social Service and Ministry of Education Singapore
Erikson. E. (1968a). Identity, Youth and Crisis. New York : Norton.
Gullotta,T. P., Adams, G. R. & Montemayor, R. (1998). Delinquent Violent Youth : Theory and Interventions. United States of America : SAGE Publications.
Kuna, S. (2002). Hedges and Edges : A Compendium for Social Workers, Counsellors and Family Therapists. Singapore : Care Corner Singapore,
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports Singapore MCYS Homepage: http://www.mcys.gov.sg
Prochaska, J. O., DiClemente, C. C., & Norcross, J. C. (1992). In search of how people change: Applications to addictive behaviours. In American Psychologist, 47, 1102–1114.
Singapore Prison Service website. http://www.prisons.gov.sg/
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When dealing with delinquency, look beyond the behaviour. The action of at-risk teens can be highly distressing for dads, but it is really an indication of a deeper need and a cry for help that teens struggle to express. Do not give up, help find their niche in life.
Quick Reads Youth at-risk should be the concern of society at large. However, as a concerned dad, the issue could be a personal and even heart wrenching one for you. Here, The Dads for Life Resource Team has put together a table that suggests the behaviour to look out for, how to differentiate it from teenage angst, and ways to reach out. In the attempt to illustrate the importance of engaging at-risk youth; so that they do not walk into the path of delinquency, we have focused on school- and community-based services.
Are you prepared to deal with drug abuse? Do you know what to look out for in your teenager? Your role as a dad is to be wise about drugs. Drug abuse is the overuse of a substance or the consumption of it without proper medical prescription. Drug abuse is dangerous because most drugs are addictive and potentially lethal. This article aims to help parents understand the risk factors that make youth more vulnerable to delinquent behaviour, how to help them and what are the legal implications once a youth enters the legal system. Legal provisions including the Beyond Parental Control Act to deal with at-risk behaviour are covered.
Dads do not need to struggle in the dark about how to engage teenagers to talk about the the dangers of gangs. Using the acronym WISE, dads can take a step-by-step approach to focus on identifying the true nature of the problem and head towards taking action. Help your child fight cyber addiction. Look beyond the behaviour. Understand what your child really needs and is seeking for in his compulsive cyber preoccupation. Know how to identify the signs of cyber addiction. And, find out how to help him recover.
A teenager shares about his struggles growing up in a broken family, his father’s incarceration, his own admission into a juvenile rehabilitation facility, and his current journey towards rehabilitation and reconciliation. Have a thought or insight? Read more and talk on this Theme here! |
About the Author: The Dads for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.
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