Exploring child neglect, future offending and preventative measures from a professional perspective

Abstract

This study’s main aims are to explore childhood neglect as a contributing factor towards juvenile delinquency and potentially criminality continuing into adulthood. Another aim was to link the impact of neglect and why it can result in delinquency as well as to establish a number of preventative measures to help neglected youths from leading a law abiding life as well as to decrease the occurrence of neglect itself. This was done through six semi-structured interviews conducted with professionals in relevant fields, namely academics with prior experience in schools as well as probation as well as social workers from Caritas and Appogg. These interviews were transcribed and analysed in light of the research aims and existing literature. Conclusions found that neglect appears in diverse forms, though its main impact is on selfcontrol and emotional regulation which may then lead to delinquency. Two other risk factors coupled with neglect were drugs and peers, tying back to bonds and relations as per Hirschi’s social bond theory. Drug use or abuse was seen as a main risk factor not only from the caregivers but also from the child themselves. Another key risk factor was also the involvement of the caregiver in criminality themselves, as well as having experienced neglect themselves. In terms of prevention it was found that the best place is to start with parents, schools and the community creating more structures and programmes that allow for information to be spread in regards to neglect and its impact, while also creating accepting places for already neglected youths to feel supported and gain guidance.