Causes of Youth Misbehavior and Deviance

Introduction:

Youth are the foundation of any society’s strength and progress. When they are well-guided, the society prospers; when they go astray, it weakens and struggles to develop in all aspects of life. Proper upbringing and guidance are therefore essential. However, many young people experience misguidance and deviant behavior, influenced by various factors.

Main Causes of Youth Deviance

1. Idle Time

Excessive free time can lead youth to misbehavior. When young people spend long hours without engaging in productive or beneficial activities, they may begin to consider harmful or negative ways to occupy themselves.

2. Family Disintegration

The family plays a fundamental role in shaping a young person’s character. A stable and supportive family helps prevent deviant behavior. When families are broken or parents are disengaged, youth often seek alternatives outside the home, which can lead to negative influences and deviance.

3. Bad Company

Friends greatly influence youth behavior. Negative peers can encourage deviant actions and harmful habits, while friends with good morals and behaviors positively influence youth, helping them develop virtuous qualities.

4. Poverty

Poverty is a critical social issue affecting families, children, and youth. It can lead to instability in family life, reduce parental involvement, and increase the risk of youth deviance. Poverty may also generate feelings of resentment or hatred toward society, potentially leading to criminal behavior as youth search for ways to meet their basic needs. Early child labor is another consequence of poverty that can contribute to later deviant behavior.

5. Weak Religious Guidance

A weak sense of religious or moral grounding increases the likelihood of deviant behavior among youth. This weakness may result from the absence of balanced religious role models, extreme religious strictness in some communities, or the lack of appropriate religious education in schools and universities.

Conclusion:

Youth deviance is influenced by multiple social, familial, and personal factors. Addressing these causes through strong family support, constructive activities, positive peer influence, alleviating poverty, and proper moral and religious guidance is essential for fostering a healthy and productive generation.