Causes of Juvenile Delinquency in Qatari Society

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the reasons why and how children turned into delinquents as well as to discern factors that put the children at risk/vulnerable for engaging in such behavior. The report also covered programmatic and policy responses for preventing delinquency of children and shielding them from its causes, as well as the status of coordination among other agencies in dealing with juvenile delinquency and childhood protection. To determine the societal attitudes in Qatari society toward juvenile delinquency under the justice system, eight focus groups were conducted representing different stakeholders in relation to the problem of juvenile delinquency. The talks centered on individual, family, peer and school related factors of juvenile delinquency and involvement in criminal activities in both formal and informal contexts. They also disclosed the high incidence of juvenile delinquency in Qatari and non-Qatari expatriate families, amongst boys, due to drug sales, drivers sexually abusing them or exerting a lot of control over their children. It also addresses problems that children face at school, including no breaks, long hours and strict rules. Contributors consider the impact of father absence and lack of maternal support on delinquency. Participants also mention the impact of online websites on sexual delinquency and global openings to children through games on iPads. Trainers also bemoaned the lack of external training for staff at social care centers, with some trainers who were not qualified to train social workers and child protection workers. They also spoke of trouble classifying juveniles by the nature of their alleged crimes and services split among different agencies. In conclusion, juvenile delinquency of Qatari youth is related to a set of factors at the personal, family, peer and institutional levels. Culturally tongue and coordinated, Multidisciplinary but soon developers are burned with surgeries. Longitudinal studies and assessment of the effectiveness of current prevention programs will continue to be necessary for policy development.