Juvenile Delinquency in Kuwait: Applying Social Disorganization Theory

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency is considered one of the most serious and challenging problems worldwide. Criminology provides a wide array of explanations for delinquency; however, the vast majority of the theories were applied and tested in Western societies. Therefore, the possibility of applying these theories to non‐Western societies is yet to be determined. This article will examine juvenile delinquency in Kuwait and will attempt to determine the relative effects of social disorganization on delinquency. The study will also test the effects of competing theories such as social control, strain, and differential association. Some researchers believe that urbanization, modernization, and social change lead to such problems. They believe that crime and delinquency can be viewed as an outcome of rapid social changes in societies, which in turn, lead to social disorganization. Faris (1948) believed that the decline of unity and harmony in a society is a major condition of social disorganization. Furthermore, Mowrer (1942) indicated that disorganization of society can produce many social problems such as divorce, delinquency, crimes, poverty, and unemployment. More recently, researchers viewed the concept of social disorganization as the inability of a local community to identify the common values of its residents and solve their problems (Bursik, 1988; Bursik & Webb, 1982). This article explores the assumptions of this theory and other theories as they relate to the Kuwaiti society.

Lived Experiences of Egyptian Female Juvenile Delinquents: Phenomenological Approach

“…In addition, youngsters who live in disorganized neighborhoods are more likely to become delinquents (Alanezi, 2010); child labor, working children can gain a false sense of their ability to provide for themselves that encourages them to risk leaving a family environment that they consider unsatisfactory (Human Rights Watch, 2003); and media, the media can indirectly lead people to choose violence. Television, movies, newspapers, and magazines show happy, fun-loving people.…”

Youth development in Kuwait: Dimensions of civic participation and community engagement towards nation building

“…In Kuwait, there has been an increase in youth antisocial behavior and violence as validated by reports from the statistics and research department of the Ministry of Justice; there were 6,364 juvenile misdemeanors between January 1, 2016 and June 31, 2019, including violent crimes, drugs, and recklessness, especially reckless driving (“Juveniles commit”, 2019). Alanezi (2010) attributes this increase to an intellectual vacuum experienced in society and social disorganization as a result of rapid social change and the inability of the local community to identify and solve youth problems. A 2012 United Nations study reiterates that the risk of societal upheaval was proportional to the rate of unemployment among young men and women as an effect of the youth bulge (Urdal, 2012).…”