Juvenile delinquency among students in faith-based universities: Implications for chaplaincy services at Babcock University

Abstract

Our society today is enveloped in crime, with juvenile crimes also rising rapidly. Dowell observed that juvenile crime has infested the society today with notorious criminals since they were not decisively taken care of. Juvenile delinquency which refers to the acts of committing crime at a very young age is ravaging human societies today. This explains why some parents prefer to send their children to faith-based institutions rather than secular ones, seeking better character development and societal values. However, recent events in faith-based institutions are showing increased incidents of juvenile delinquency. Babcock University was taken as a case study to ascertain the hypothesis that juvenile delinquency is prevalent in faith-based institutions, which has significant implications for chaplaincy ministry. The academic world provides insight into juvenile delinquency, highlighting its prevalence and the negative impact it has had on various societies and communities. Juvenile courts exist to deal with juvenile crises. Researchers have identified multiple factors contributing to juvenile delinquency and have proposed some strategies to address this crisis. This research was carried out via a mixed method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques. The result of this research shows a significant prevalence of juvenile delinquency in faith-based institutions of learning and Babcock University in particular, with grave implications for chaplaincy services.