Delinquency

Explanation

Delinquency refers to behaviors—typically committed by minors—that breach criminal law, civil regulations, or established norms. It encompasses a wide range of actions, from truancy and vandalism to theft and violence. While delinquency often denotes legally punishable acts committed by juveniles, it can also include status offenses—acts that are only considered offenses due to the individual’s age (e.g., underage drinking or curfew violations).

The study of delinquency is central to juvenile justice, developmental criminology, and youth sociology. It explores how family dynamics, peer groups, school environments, neighborhood conditions, and broader social structures contribute to deviant behavior.

The concept is also relevant to theories such as social learning theory, control theory, and strain theory, all of which seek to explain the onset and persistence of delinquent careers.