Peer pressure linked to juvenile crime

As a parent, you don’t want to get the call from the police that your child has been arrested. But you know that this is something that could happen. Juvenile crimes happen every day, and many parents find out that their children have been involved in activities that they knew nothing about. You’ll probably find yourself asking why. The truth is that there are many different reasons, and all situations are unique. For instance, some young people get involved in shoplifting because they simply don’t have the money to pay for the items that they want. Other teens may consider shoplifting because they want an item that their parents have told them they can’t have. But in a lot of cases, studies have found that peer pressure is what leads to juvenile crime. This force can be very strong, especially for teenagers, and they may engage in activities that they would never have carried out on their own.

Why does this happen?

One reason that this happens is that the teen wants to prove themselves to the rest of the group. They may brag about doing something and then carry out the illegal act to try to gain standing in that group’s hierarchy. Similarly, they could be pressured to do something that they don’t even want to do, but they feel like they’ll get a negative reaction from their peers if they refuse. For instance, this is why some teenagers end up driving under the influence. They know they shouldn’t drive, but their friends tell them that they’re sober enough to bring everyone home safely. No matter why your child has been arrested, make sure you know about all of the criminal defense options at your disposal.