Families, youth and delinquency : Familles, jeunes et délinquance : portrait des connaissances et programmes de prévention de la délinquance juvénile en milieu familial

Taken in isolation, they are less obviously linked to juvenile delinquency than risk factors related to family dynamic and functioning.32 One of the most eloquent examples of the special nature of these risk factors is the discussions around the effects of single parenthood in the manifestation of delinquent behaviour in youth. [...] TABLE 2—PROTECTIVE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FAMILY79 AT EVERY AGE FAMILY DYNAMIC FAMILY AREA OF AND FUNCTIONING CHARACTERISTICS RESIDENCE • Relationship based on • Parental level of education • Integration of families into family bond • Financial stability the life of the community • Positive support within the • Stability of the family unit • Relationships established family with neighbours • Adeq [...] A number of studies80 have shown that those programs targeting risk factors contributing to crime and victimization and promot- ing protective factors are effective and enable a reduction in the incidence of crime and victimization of as much as 70% in some cases.81 The Scientific Approach to Preventing Delinquency The scientific approach to preventing delinquency involves a way of thinking and ac [...] The objectives of PLL are to: • reduce the incidence of problems in young people at risk; • develop new social skills and abilities in parents and young people; and • prevent relapses by helping parents and young people make good use of their new skills and abilities in their daily lives. [...] The goals of the MTFC program are to: • reduce criminal behaviour and drug use; • improve participation at school; • reduce associations with juvenile delinquents; and • improve young people’s skills so that the return to the original family is uneventful and relapses are avoided.