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Abstract

This dissertation explored how various factors in child development can contribute to youth offending. According to a publication by the Youth Justice Board (2021), 19,000 children were either cautioned or sentenced between April 2019 and March 2020. During this period, the average custodial sentence for child offenders had increased by more than seven months, with 38.5% of these child offenders having reoffended (Youth Justice Board, 2021). Various casual factors can be recognised when discussing youth offending, of which atypical development and trauma are among the most prominent. By applying theoretical frameworks such as Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory and Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, an understanding of how issues in development can impact children and young people was established, along with how multiple impact factors can intersect one another contributing to issues in development and the likelihood for youth offending to take place. Whilst exploring the role of childhood trauma, the impact of adverse childhood experiences was highlighted, with their significance being recognised in connection with child development and youth offending. In addressing youth offending today, it is arguably necessary to possess an understanding as to the potential contributing factors which exist for youth offending. Reaching a more in depth understanding of this was a key aspect of this dissertation. A literature review inclusive of academic literature was completed in order to achieve this. By utilising the associated literature and expanding on this with analytic tools, the impact of both development and trauma in childhood was recognised. Childhood trauma acted as an umbrella term for significant issues in development and emerged as a key impact factor for child development and the prediction of offending behaviour. In conclusion, it was recognised that emphasising protective factors in youth offending can be equally as beneficial as highlighting impact factors when addressing young people who offend.

Course: Childhood and Youth Studies - BA (Hons) - C1989F

Date Deposited: 2022-04-08

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13879.html