Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr.

1/201 2

DELINCVENA JUVENIL-UN THE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY-

FENOMEN SOCIAL TOT MAI DES AN INCREASINGLY COMMON
NTLNIT SOCIAL PHENOMENON

Andra DASCLU Andra DASCLU

Amelia SINGH Amelia SINGH
Universitatea din Piteti University of Piteti

Abstract: Fenomenul de delincven juvenil Abstract: The phenomenon of juvenile

este unul compex ce presupune analiza att a
factorilor pshihologici ct i a celor sociali.n
ncercarea de a motiva acest fenomen s-a pornit de la
analiza unei varieti de factori, inclusiv cei ce pot
aprea nc din timpul evoluiei ftului ct i a those that may occur as early as during fetal
factorilor familiali.Deasemenea foarte importani sunt
i factorii sociali.
Dei exist o multitudine de studii efectuate
de cei mai buni specialiti i se demareaz diverse
programe de prevenire a delincvenei juvenile, suntem
martorii unei creteri nedorite a acestui fenomen
social.
delinquency is a complex one which involves the
analysis of both psychological and social
factors.Attempting to motivate this phenomenon it was
started by analyzing a variety of factors, including
development and those concerning the family.Also the
social factors are very important. Although there are a
multitude of studies elaborated by the best specialists
and there are also initiated various programs to
prevent juvenile delinquency, we are witnesses to
unwanted growth of this social phenomenon.

1.Aspecte generale 1. General aspects

Actul delicvent, ca atare,reprezint
expresia unui ir de aciuni i conduite care
contrasteaz puternic cu normele de
convieuire existente n cadrul familiei,
instituiilor, societii43.
Prima problem care se ridic privind
delincvena juvenil este legat de necesitatea
utilizrii acestui termen n loc de ali termeni
consacrai juridic i folosii pentru aduli care
The delinquent act, as such, represents
the expression of a series of actions and
behaviours in strong contrast with the social
rules within the familiy, institutions or the
society in general.
The first issue to consider when it
comes to juvenile delinquency is related to
the necessity to use this term instead of other
common juridical terms referring to adults

Asist. Univ. drd.; adresa: str. Dacia, bl. V1,sc. E, ap. 10, Mioveni, Arge; Facultatea de tiine Juridice i
Administrative, Universitatea din Piteti; nr. telefon: 0744107136; e-mail: andradascalu@yahoo.com.

Asist. Univ. drd.; adresa: Piteti, Arge; Facultatea de tiine Juridice i Administrative, Universitatea din
Piteti; nr. telefon: 0723734493; e-mail : singh.amelia@yahoo.com.
43
Sorin Rdulescu i Dan Banciu, Sociologia crimei i criminalitii, op.cit., p.77.

Assistant, Ph.D. Candidate; address: str. Dacia, bl. V1,sc. E, ap. 10, Mioveni, Arge; Faculty of Law and
Administrative Sciences, University of Pitesti; telephone number: 0744107136; e-mail address:
andradascalu@yahoo.com.

Assistant, Ph.D. Candidate; address: Piteti, Arge; Faculty of Law and Administrative Sciences, University
of Pitesti; telephone number: 0723734493; e-mail address: singh.amelia@yahoo.com.

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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2
ncalc normele juridico-penale. Acest
termen provine de la cuvntul francez
delinquance juvenile care, la rndul lui, se
origineaz n latinescul delinguere juvenis i
el desemneaz ansamblul abaterilor i
nclcrilor de norme sociale, sancionate
juridic, svrite de minorii pn la 18 ani.
Desigur, este absolut necesar s
difereniem n cadrul categoriei largi de
minori cteva subcategorii, distincie fcut
clar de ctre sistemul nostru juridic. Astfel,
minorii pn la vrsta de 14 ani nu rspund
penal, chiar dac ei comit infraciuni. Cei cu
vrsta ntre 14 i 16 ani rspund juridic
limitat numai dac se stabilete existena
discernmntului la expertiza medico-legal
psihiatric - art.99 Codul penal. n sfrit,
minorii cu vrsta ntre 16 i 18 ani rspund n
faa legii, avnd discernmnt. Cu toate
acestea, modul de sancionare i, mai ales, cel
de executare a pedepselor se deosebesc de
cele folosite pentru infractorii aduli.
Pentru a nelege mult mai bine
fenomenul delincvenei juvenile este necesar
s se fac o caracterizare psihologic i
psihocomportamental a minorului. n cadrul
Dicionarului Webster, copilul este definit a fi
persoana tnr ce aparine oricruia dintre
cele dou sexe, ce se afl ca vrst ntre
perioada prunciei i cea a tinereii. Plecnd
de la aceast definiie se pot departaja cel
puin trei perioade de vrst pe care le
parcurge persoana tnr: 1.perioada prunciei
(primii ani de via); 2.perioada copilriei
(ntre perioada prunciei i adolescen);
3.tinereea(perioada dintre sfritul pubertii
i nceputul perioadei adulte).
La fel ca i n cazul infractorului adult,
cei care s-au ocupat de studiul conduitei
delicvente a minorului, au ajuns la
evidenierea unui profil psihologic al
acestuia: a) nclinaia ctre agresivitate, fie
latent, fie manifest, ce este bazat pe un
Annals of the Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Letters and Social Sciences Series, Issue 1/2012
which break the criminal laws. This term
derives from the French phrase delinquance
juvenile which, in its turn, comes from the
Latin expression delinguere juvenis and
defines the range of infringements and
violations of the social rules, which are
punished by law, committed by minors under
18 years old.
It is of course necessary to distinguish
between the various subcategories of minors.
This distinction is clear within our legal
system. Therefore, minors under 14 years old
are not legally responsible, even if they
committed crimes. Those between 14 and 16
years old have limited legal responsibility,
only if the psychiatric and medico-legal
examination shows that the minor has the
power of discernment art. 99 from the
Romanian Criminal Law. Still, the types of
punishments and especially the way of
carrying punishments differ from those
applied to adult criminals.
For a better grasp on the phenomenon
of juvenile delinquency, we need to draw a
psychological and behavioural
characterization of minors. The Webster
Dictionary defines the child as a young
person of either sex, especially one between
infancy and youth. Starting from this
definition, one can distinguish at least three
age spans involving a young person: 1.
infancy (the first years of life); 2. childhood
(between infancy and teen years); 3. youth
(the period between the late teen years and
the beginning of the adult years).
Like in the case of adult criminals,
those who have studied the delinquent
conduct of minors have drawn a
psychological profile for them, as it
follows: a) the propension for aggressiveness,
either hidden, or manifest, based on a hostile
background, involving the negation of widely
accepted social values; b) emotional
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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2
fond de ostilitate, de negare a valorilor
socialmente acceptate; b) instabilitatea
emoional, generat de carene educaionale
i, n ultim instan, de fragilitatea eului; c)
inadaptarea social, provenit din
exacerbarea sentimentului de insecuritate, pe
care individul caut s-l suprime, de exemplu
prin schimbarea deas a domiciliului sau
vagabondaj ori prin evitarea formelor
organizate de via i activitate; d)
duplicitatea conduitei, manifestat n
discordana dintre dou planuri: unul, cel al
comportamentului tainic, intim n care se
prepar infraciunea i cellalt, nivelul
comportamental de relaie cu societatea, prin
care i trdeaz de cele mai multe ori
infraciunea; e)dezechilibru existenial,
exprimat prin patimi, vicii, perversiuni,irosire
absurd a banilor etc.
Soii Sheldon i Eleanor Glueck44,
studiind cu ajutorul unei echipe
interdisciplinare un lot de 500 de minori
delincveni i un lot de 500 nedelincveni (lot
martor, care erau corespunztori ca vrst,
sex, statut socio-economic, apartenen etnic
etc.) au evideniat c delincvenii se
deosebesc de nedelincveni prin urmtoarele
trsturi mai importante:
1. Din punct de vedere fizic,
delincvenii sunt cu precdere de constituie
mezomorfic (sunt solizi, au for muscular
mare etc.);
2. Ca temperament sunt: energici,
neastmprai, impulsivi, extravertii,
agresivi, distructivi (adesea sadici);
3. Au atitudini ostile, sfidtoare, sunt
plini de resentimente, de suspiciuni, sunt
ncpnai, dornici s se afirme n grup, cu
spirit de aventur, neconvenionali, nesupui
autoritilor;
44
Glueck, S., Glueck, E., Unravelling Juvenile Delinquency, Harvard University Press, Cambrige, Mass, 1950,
apud Bogdan, T. i colab., Comportamentul uman n procesul judiciar, M.I., Serviciul editorial i
cinematografic, Bucureti, 1983, p.75.
Annals of the Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Letters and Social Sciences Series, Issue 1/2012
instability, generated by poor education and,
ultimately, by a fragile inner self; c) social
maladjustement, derived from the
exaggeration of insecurity feelings, which
individuals try to eliminate, for example by
frequently changing residence, by vagrancy
or by avoiding any form of organized life and
activity; d) the duplicity of the conduct,
manifested in the gap between the hidden,
intimate behaviour, in which the crime is
prepared, and the social behaviour, by which
the crime is revealed most of the times,etc.
Sheldon i Eleanor Glueck, helped by
an interdisciplinary team, studied two groups
of 500 minors, one of them delinquent, the
other non-delinquent (formed of young
people comparable in terms of age, sex,
social and economic status, ethnic group) and
they revealed the fact that delinquents differ
from non-delinquents in terms of the
following important features:
1. From the physical point of view,
delinquents often have a mesomorphic build
(they are sturdy and have a high muscular
force);
2. When it comes to temper, they are
energetic, restless, impulsive, forthcoming,
aggressive, distructive (often sadist);
3. They have a hostile, defying attitude,
thet are full of resentment, suspicious,
stubborn, assertive, adventurous,
unconventional, defiant towards authorities;
4. From a psychological perspective,
they tend to express themselves openly; as to
their social and cultural background,
delinquents come far more often than non-
delinquents, from intolerant, cold, unstable,
immoral / ammoral families etc.(Glueck,
1950)
An interesting classification of juvenile
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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2
4. Din punct de vedere psihologic, tind
spre exprimri directe; sociocultural provin,
n proporie mult mai mare dect cei din
grupul de control, din familii nenelegtoare,
neafective, instabile, lipsite de inut moral
etc.
Delincvenii juvenili, la fel ca i
infractorii adulii pot fi clasificai n funcie
de o serie de criterii:
1. prezena sau absena inteniei: acte
delincvente spontan-intenionate; acte
premeditate; absena inteniei;
2. n funcie de numrul infraciunilor
comise: prima infraciune; mai multe
infraciuni (recidivism);
3. n funcie de gradul de normalitate
psihic: anormal (bolnav mintal); normal;
4. gradul de responsabilitate: perfect
responsabil, intelect redus, intoxicaie,
dezorganizare psihic;
5. n funcie de motivaia ce st la baza
conduitei delincvente: predominant
extrinsec (interesul principal orientat spre
atingerea unor scopuri, cum ar fi intrarea n
posesia unor bunuri); predominant intrinsec
(interesul este orientat predominant spre
aspectele de coninut ale activitii
antisociale).
O interesant clasificare a delincvenei
juvenile o realizeaz W.W. Wattenberg45,
care pleac de la cele ase structuri de reacie
comportamental aa cum sunt ele nscrise n
Manualul statistic i diagnostic al tulburrilor
mentale, elaborat de ctre Asociaia
psihologilor americani:
1. reacia hiperkinetic, specific
copiilor ce prezint afeciuni neurologice
minime;
2. reacia de retragere, ce poate s apar
atunci cnd copilului i se ofer prea puin
45
Wattenberg , The juvenil Delinquent, n Toch, H., Psychology of Crime and Criminal Justice , Wavelan Press
Inc.,Prospect Heights, Illinois, 1986
Annals of the Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Letters and Social Sciences Series, Issue 1/2012
delinquency is provided by W.W.
Wattenberg, who starts from the six
structures of behavioural reactions, as
described by the Statistic and Diagnose
Manual of Mental Illnesses, issued by the
American Psychologist Association:
1. the hiperkinetical reaction, specific to
children with mild neurological issues;
2. the retreat reaction, which might
occur when the child gets too little
satisfaction; this situation is specific to
children whose parents have an inappropriate
behaviour around them (they are detached,
excessively permissive or exaggerated in
applying punishments;
3. the overanxious reaction, which
tends to occur especially in the middle social
strata, in families which are overambitious in
terms of school performance and in which
children are urged to behave according to
high standards imposed to them;
4. the aggressive unsocialized reaction,
which tends to appear in case of parental
rejection coupled with parental
overprotection;
5. the escape reaction, which is likely to
appear in case of full parental rejection;
6. the reaction of the delinquent group,
which might appear as a result of the group
rebellion during teen years in the absence of
parental and especially of fatherly
supervision.
2.Analysis of some factors involved in
determining minor misbehaviour
The factors that lead to juvenile
delinquency fall into two broad categories: a)
internal, individual factors and b) external,
social factors. The first category include the
specific elements and the neurological and
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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2
satisfacie; aceast situaie este specific,
copilului ce adopt n raport cu ei o conduit
neadecvat (sunt detaai, excesiv de
permisivi sau exagerai n aplicarea
sanciunilor);
3. reacia superanxioas, tinde s apar
n mod particular n clasa de mijloc, n
familiile deosebit de ambiioase n plan
educaional n care copiii sunt solicitai s
realizeze achiziii comportamentale n baza
unor nalte standarde impuse;
4. reacia agresiv nesocializat, tinde
s apar n cazul respingerii parentale,
cuplat cu superprotecia parental;
5. reacia de fug, de evadare, tinde s
apar ca o reacie la respingerea parental
integral;
6. reacia grupului delincvent, tinde s
apar ca rezultat al rebeliunii de grup din anii
adolescenei n absena supravegherii
parentale i mai ales, a celei paterne.
2.Factori implicai n determinarea
comportamentului deviant al minorilor
Factorii care determin delincvena
juvenil pot fi mprii n dou mari
categorii: a) factori interni, individuali i b)
factori externi, sociali. n prima categorie se
include: particularitile i structura neuro-
psihic, particulariti ale personalitii n
formare, particulariti care s-au format sub
influena unor factori externi, mai ales a celor
familiali. n a doua categorie, mai importani
sunt factorii socio-culturali, economici,socio-
afectivi i educaionali din cadrul
microgrupurilor i macrogrupurilor umane n
care trebuie s se integreze, treptat, copilul i
tnrul, ncepnd cu familia. Tot n categoria
factorilor interni, un rol deosebit de important
l are, dup unii autori, frustraia.
2.1.Factori neuro-psihici
Din aceast categorie fac parte, dup
Annals of the Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Letters and Social Sciences Series, Issue 1/2012
psychological structure, the aspects of the
forming personality, elements that formed
under external influence, especially families.
In the second category, more important are
the social, cultural, economic, affective and
educational factors within large or small
groups of people, starting with the family, in
which the child and the young person must
gradually integrate. Also in the category of
the internal factors, a significant role is
played, according to some authors, by
frustration.
2.1.The neurological and
psychological factors
In this category are included, according
to some authors, the following factors:
1. Brain disfunctions, revealed by
EEGs. Most researchers believe that there is
no specific aspect of EEGs of delinquent
minors, although some anomalies of these
aspects prove the existence of a brain
pathology for some of these subjects.
2. Intelectual disfunctions. Poor
intelectual skills prevent them from
anticipating the consequences and
implications of their actions.
Some authors insisted that the poor
intelect represents a prerequisite for criminal
conduct, especially when it is associated to
emmotional active personality disturbances
and with an unfavourable environment.
3. Emotional disorders. Emotions play
a major role in the life and activity of an
individual and any deviation from normal
creates problems of adaptation, sometimes
pretty serious. As for juvenile delinquents, as
most reserchers state, it seems that they
distinguish themselves either by a low level
of affective maturation or by different
degrees of emotional disorders.
The insuficient affective maturation is
cherecterized by:
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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2
cum afirm unii autori, urmtorii factori46:
1. Disfuncii cerebrale, relevate prin
EEG. Majoritatea cercettorilor arat c nu se
poate vorbi de o specificitate a traseelor EEG
la delincvenii minori, dei unele anomalii ale
acestor trasee bioelectrice care apar la unii
delincveni demonstreaz existena unei
patologii cerebrale a acestor subieci.
2. Deficiene intelectuale. Capacitile
intelectuale reduse i mpiedic mai ales n
anticiparea consecinelor i implicaiilor
aciunilor ntreprinse.
Unii autori au subliniat faptul c nivelul
mintal sczut reprezint o premis a
infracionalitii, mai ales dac este asociat cu
perturbri emotiv-active ale personalitii i
cu condiii defavorabile de mediu.
3. Tulburri ale afectivitii.
Afectivitatea joac un rol important n viaa i
activitatea individului uman i orice abatere
de la normal creeaz probleme, uneori destul
de serioase, pe linie adaptativ. n ceea ce-i
privete pe delincvenii minori, dup cum
afirm majoritatea cercettorilor, se pare c
acetia se caracterizeaz fie printr-un nivel
insuficient de maturizare afectiv, fie prin
diferite stri de dereglare a afectivitii.
Insuficienta maturizare afectiv se
caracterizeaz prin:
- lipsa unei autonomii afective, ceea ce
duce la creterea sugestibilitii;
-insuficienta dezvoltare
autocontrolului afectiv, legat de insuficienta
cunoatere i capacitate de stpnire a
reactivitii emoionale;
- slaba dezvoltare a emoiilor i
sentimentelor superioare, ndeosebi a celor
morale.
n categoria strilor de dereglare a
afectivitii sunt incluse:
46
Preda,V., Profilaxia delincvenei i reintegrarea social, Ed. tiinific i enciclopedic, Bucureti, 1981, p.31-
38.
Annals of the Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Letters and Social Sciences Series, Issue 1/2012
- lack of affective autonomy, which
leads to an increase of the power of
suggestion;
- insuficient development of the
affective self-control, including the
insuficient knowledge and capacity to control
the emotional reactions;
- poor development of superior
emotions and feelings, especially the moral
feelings.
In the category of emotional disorders
are included:
- feelings of frustration, emotional
conflicts; emotional instability; emotional
ambivalence; emotional indifference; lack of
emotions and of unselfish, simpathetic
feelings. Because of the high levels of self-
absorbtion and also the low levels of
tolerance to frustration, some actional
objectives are formulated and reached by
illegal means.
4. Character disorders. The character,
as the central point of the personality, is
formed and develops during the ontogenesis,
this is why it is highly dependent on the mix
of conditions in which the individual carries
his/her life, as well as on the ensemble of
social and cultural factors, in broad terms,
which influence and shape the process of
ontogenesis.
The studies on juvenile delinquents
a showed that they had low levels of character
maturation, manifested in: insuficient self-
control; impulsiveness and aggresiveness;
underestimation of errors and disocial /
antisocial acts committed; pasivity,
indifference and disregard for work; rejection
of social, legal and moral rules; egocentric
tendencies; - exaggeration of personal
egocentric motivations, of self-absorbed
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- strile de frustraie afectiv i needs and tendencies; - the lack or insuficient

sentimentele de frustraie, conflicte afective; - development of superior motivations, of
instabilitatea (labilitatea) afectiv ; - ethical and moral feelings; - the desire to live
ambivalena afectiv ; - indiferena an easy life, without work.
afectiv ; - absena emoiilor i a nclinaiilor
altruiste i simpatetice. Datorit nivelului 2.2.Antenatal factors
crescut al egocentrismului i, totodat, It was proved that the children of
datorit existenei unui nivel sczut al teenage mothers are much more prone to
toleranei la frustraie, formularea i atingerea
delinquency that others. For example, Merry
unur obiective acionale se face prin apelul la
Morash and Lila Rucker analyzed the results
mijloace ilegale. obtained following four studies carried out in
4. Tulburri caracteriale. Caracterul, n
the US and the UK (including the Cambridge
calitatea lui de nucleu al personalitii, se
study) and discovered that young mothers are
formeaz i se dezvolt n ontogenez, fiindassociated with families in contradiction with
de aceea puternic dependent de ansamblul de the law, with lack of well-being and the
condiii i mprejurri n care triete absence of biological fathers. These mothers
individul uman n mod nemijlocit, precum i tend to use inadequate or insuficient methods
de ansamblul de factori de ordin socio- of education and their children often skip
cultural, luat ntr-un sens mai larg, care school for long periods and involve in
influeneaz i modeleaz procesul
criminal activity. Also, it seems that the
dezvoltrii ontogenetice. physical presence of the father generally has
Cercetrile efectuate asupra
an effect of protection and significantly
delincventului minor au scos n eviden reduces this kind of behaviour.(Amza, 2002)
faptul c acesta se caracterizeaz printr-un Israel Kalvin and his colleagues warn
nivel de imaturizare caracterologic, care se
us about the fact that the consumption of
manifest prin urmtoarele: - autocontrol drugs, alcohol and nicotine during pregnancy
insuficient; - impulsivitate i agresivitate; -
will have a negative influence on the further
subestimarea greelilor i a actelor disociale
development of the baby. For example, the
sau antisociale comise; - indolen, mother who smokes during the 9 months of
indiferen i dispre fa de munc; - opoziie
pregnancy risks giving birth cu children with
i respingere a normelor social-juridice i health issues and low school performances.
morale; - tendine egocentrice; - exacerbarea
Also, the excessive alcoohol consumption
unor motive personale egoiste, a unor will lead to children predisposed to
trebuine i tendine nguste, de nivel redus; -
hyperactivity, low intelect and deficient
absena sau insuficienta dezvoltare a unor manner of speech.The birth of underweight
motive superioare, de ordin social i a babies, in the above-mentioned
sentimentelor etico-morale; - dorina
circumstances, and who also present other
realizrii unei viei uoare, fr munc. perinatal complications (inadequate forceps
birth, suffocation) can later lead to
2.2.Factori prenatali misbehaviour.(Argeeanu, 1994)
S-a demonstrat c, copiii mamelor Still, the effects of prenatal
adolescente sunt mult mai dispui s devin complications must be also analyzed in the
delincveni. Aa de exemplu, Merry Morash context of other factors, such as the quality of

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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2

i Lila Rucker au analizat rezultatele obinute the family environment.

n urma a patru cercetri ntreprinse n
America i Anglia (incluznd studiul 2.3. Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
Cambridge) i au descoperit c mamele tinere Recent scientific research has
sunt asociate cu familii care se afl n progressively introduced the opinion that the
contradicie cu legile, cu lipsa unui suport al personality factors which can lead to
bunstrii i absena biologic a tailor. delinquency are hyperactivity and
Aceste mame au tendina de a folosi metode impulsiveness.
de educaie neadecvate i insuficiente, iar It has also been proved that
copiii lor, deseori, lipsesc perioade mari de hyperactivity usually starts before the age of
timp de la coal i comit fapte ce vizeaz 5, but some specialists argue that it can start
nclcarea legii. De asemenea, se pare c even before the age of 2, has periods of
prezena biologic a tatlui are, n general, un progress during childhood and tends to persist
efect de protecie i diminueaz mult faptele even to the teen years. It is associated to
copiilor. restlessness, impulsiveness and attention
Israel Kalvin i colegii si atrag atenia deficiencies, therefore the moment is known
asupra faptului c, consumul de droguri, as the hyperactivity impulsiveness
alcool i igri pe timpul sarcinii vor avea o difficult attention syndrome (HIA).
influen negativ asupra dezvoltrii
ulterioare a copilului. Aa de exemplu, mama 2.4. The influence of intelligence in
care fumeaz n perioada celor 9 luni este reaching performance
supus riscului de a da natere la copii cu Although the opinions are still
deficiene, performanele colare ale acestora divergent, it seems that tha theories according
fiind mult diminuate. Totodat, consumul to which low intelect is an important factor
excesiv de alcool va conduce la naterea unor that leads to criminal activity and can be
copii care vor fi predispui la hiperactivitate, identified very early in life are becoming
cu inteligen sczut i cu o vorbire more and more popular.
defectuoas47. Specialists believe that it is quite risky
Naterea de copii sub greutatea to take into account the low intelect
normal, n condiiile puse n discuie, i care separately, without considering poor school
mai au i alte complicaii, perinatale (forceps performances. The low verbal intelligence is
inadecvat, asfixie etc.), predispune mai trziu associated to lower school results and all of
la probleme de devian comportamental. them foretell the juvenile delinquency.
Efectele complicaiilor prenatale trebuie Also, it is estimated that delinquents
ns analizate i n contextul altor factori, ca tend to leave school at a tender age, around
de exemplu calitatea mediului familial. 15 years on average.
It is also stated that the low non-verbal
2.3.Hiperactivitatea i impulsivitatea intelligence is specific to juvenile seasoned
n cercetrile tiinifice s-a conturat tot offenders, who have been breaking the law
mai pregnant opinia potrivit creia, factorii de since the age of 10 to 13.

47
Ion Argeeanu i colaboratorii, Studiu criminologic, Buletin de Criminologie i Criminalistic, nr.1-2
(1994), p.36.

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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2
personalitate, care mai trziu pot duce la
delincven, sunt hiperactivitatea i delinquents often obtain better results in tests
impulsivitatea.
S-a mai demonstrat c hiperactivitatea
ncepe, de regul, nainte de mplinirea
vrstei de 5 ani, iar unii specialiti apreciaz
c ea debuteaz chiar naintea vrstei de 2
ani, apoi va marca momente de progres pe
perioada copilriei, tinznd s persiste chiar
i n anii adolescenei. Aceasta este asociat
cu stri de nelinite, impulsivitate i atenie
dificil, de aceea, momentul este consemnat
ca sindromul hiperactivitate-impulsivitate-
atenie dificil (H.I.A.).
2.4.Influena inteligenei n obinerea
performanelor
Dei opiniile sunt nc diferite, se pare
c teoriile potrivit crora inteligena sczut
este un important factor care duce la
comiterea de delicte i poate fi identificat
foarte devreme n decursul vieii ctig tot
mai mult teren.
Se apreciaz c este destul de riscant s
te raportezi separat la o inteligen sczut
fr a lua n calcul i performanele colare
destul de slabe. Inteligena verbal sczut
este asociat cu performane colare slabe,
toate prezicnd delincvena juvenil.
De asemenea, se apreciaz c
delincvenii tind s prseasc coala nc de
la vrste fragede, media fiind la 15 ani.
Se opineaz c inteligena non-verbal
sczut este caracteristic, nbeosebi,
recidivitilor minori, care comit delicte nc
de la vrsta de 10-13 ani.
Alte studii au demonstrat c
delincvenii obin rezultate mai bune la testele
de performan non-verbal, dect la cele
verbale, sugernd c ei gsesc mai uor
sensul obiectelor concrete dect cel al
Annals of the Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Letters and Social Sciences Series, Issue 1/2012
Other studies have proved that juvenile
concerning the non-verbal intelligence,
compared to tests of verbal performances,
therefore they suggest that the juvenile
criminals find the sense of concrete notions
far easier than the abstract concepts.(
Murchison, 1982)
The opinion of professor Tudor Amza
is somewhat different from the presented
theories, as he considers that the lack of
intelligence cannot justify all the juvenile
crime and that, in many cases, it must be
analyzed in the context of other factors.
2.5. The role of parents in
developping discipline and juvenile
attitude
Throughout time, there have been
countless written materials on the role played
by the family in the youth education. The
first seven years spent at home has become
a household phrase in the Romanian society
and a widely accepted criterium of judgement
when the behaviour of some individuals
leaves much to be desire in terms of
education.
One of the most important functions of
the family is to educate and to form
youngsters, so as they integrate in optimal
conditions to the social life and activity.
Here, within the family, the parents have a
direct or indirect influence over the education
formation of their own children. The
married couple, by means of its entire array
of behavioural acts, represents a real social
model which, being the first of the existent
social models in terms of influence, has a
decisive impact over its childrens own
perception of life, conduct and reference to
various social rules and values.(Amza,2002)
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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2
conceptelor abstracte48.
Opinia profesorului Tudor Amza difer
ntr-o oarecare msur de teoriile prezentate,
considernd c lipsa inteligenei nu poate
motiva toate delictele comise de tineri i c,
ntr-o proporie apreciabil, aceasta trebuie s
fie corelat i cu ali factori.
2.5.Rolul prinilor n dezvoltarea
disciplinei i atitudinii juvenile
Despre rolul pe care familia l are n
educarea tinerilor s-a spus i s-a scris destul
de mult, iar n societatea romneasc cei
apte ani de acas a devenit un criteriu
unanim acceptat, atunci cnd n children involved in criminal acts, it is very
comportamentul unor indivizi se manifest
carene grave n ceea ce privete educaia.
Una dintre cele mai importante funcii
ale familiei const n educarea i formarea
tinerilor n vederea integrrii lor optime n
viaa i activitatea social. Aici, n cadrul
grupului familial, prinii exercit, direct sau
indirect, influene educaional-formative
asupra propriilor lor copii. Cuplul conjugal,
prin ntreg sistemul su de acte
comportamentale, constituie un veritabil
model social care, fiind de altfel primul n
ordinea influenelor din partea modelelor
sociale existente, are o influen hotrtoare
asupra copiilor privind formarea concepie lor
despre via, a modului de comportare i
relaionare n raport cu diferite norme i
valori sociale.
Problema de baz care trebuie neleas
la nivelul autoritilor romneti este aceea de
a nu atepta pn cnd comunitatea are
probleme reale i copiii ajung n strad, ci s
se fac tot posibilul ca acetia s fie ndrumai
ctre coal.
Romnia are o situaie economic
dificil, mai ales n contextul crizei
48
Carl Murchison , Intellingence, Clark University Press, Wercester, Mass., 1982, cap.4
Annals of the Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Letters and Social Sciences Series, Issue 1/2012
The basic issue that must be understood
by the Romanian authorities is that they
should not wait until the community faces
real problems and the children get on the
streets, but they should make their best to
encourage children to go to school.
Romnia is nowadays confronted with a
difficult economic situation, especially in the
context of the present world economic crisis;
as a consequence, as in many countries where
the economy is at its lowest, child protection
is placed towards the end of the priority list.
Despite all these problems, it is absolutely
necessary to understand that, if we want less
important for children to stay with their
families, as long as the safety of their
education is guaranteed. This situation makes
us consider that the society should change not
only the child, but also it should work as
much (if not more) with its family.
The educational environment provided
by the family can be analyzed using several
indicators, the most important ones being:
1. the way parents relate to each other
(the level of closeness and understanding, the
agreement or disagreement on various
matters etc.);
2. the system of parental attitudes to
various social rules and values;
3. the way the child is perceived and
considered;
4. the way of manifesting the parental
authority (unitarily or separately);
5. the degree of acceptance of various
child behaviours;
6. the dynamics of some tensional or
conflictual situations;
7. the way of applying rewards or
punishments;
8. the degree of openness and sincerity
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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2
economice mondiale actuale, i, n
majoritatea rilor unde economia nu merge,
protecia copilului este lsat la urma listei de
prioriti. Cu toate aceste neajunsuri, este
absolut necesar de neles c, dac dorim ct
mai puini copii implicai n acte criminale,
este foarte important pentru un copil ca el s
rmn n familie, mai ales ct sigurana
educaiei lui este garantat acolo. Aceasta ne
determin s apreciem c societatea nu poate
schimba doar copilul, ci trebuie s se lucreze
la fel de mult (dac nu chiar mai mult) i cu
familia.
Climatul educaional familial poate fi
analizat dup mai muli indicatori,cei mai
importani fiind urmtorii:
1. modul de raportare interpersonal a
prinilor (nivelul de apropiere i nelegere,
acordul sau dezacordul n legtur cu diferite
probleme etc.);
2. sistemul de atitudini parentale n
raport cu diferite norme i valori sociale;
3. modul n care este perceput i
considerat copilul;
4. modul de manifestare a autoritii
printeti (unitar sau difereniat);
5. gradul de acceptare a unor
comportamente variate ale copiilor;
6. dinamica apariiei unor stri
tensionale i conflictuale;
7. modul de aplicare a recompenselor i
sanciunilor;
8. gradul de deschidere i sinceritate al
copilului n raport cu prinii.
2.6. Rolul familiilor dezmembrate i
al separrii cuplurilor n creterea
delincvenei juvenile
Majoritatea studiilor ntreprinse n
legtur cu influena dezmembrrii familiilor
i separarea cuplurilor asupra delincvenei
juvenile au fost focalizate mai mult pe
pierderea tatlui, fiindc, pur i simplu,
Annals of the Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Letters and Social Sciences Series, Issue 1/2012
of the child in relation with its
parents.(Amza, 2002)
2.6. The role played by broken
families and separated couples in the
increase of the juvenile delinquency
Most of the research on the influence of
broken families and separated couples over
the juvenile delinquency were focused of the
loss of the father, because the respective
situation is simply more frequent.
Crime incidence s significantly lower in
united families (22%) and an important fact
almost as low as in the case of a missing
father compensated by a loving mother.
These percentages suggest the fact that
a broken family where the mother displays a
loving attitude does not represent a crime-
inducing factor more important than a
conflictual family, where the disputes
between the parents are frequent or very
frequent. Even more, a loving mother can be
capable in a certain sense to compensate for
the absence of the father.
It has been proved that the children
coming from families broken by divorce or
separation present a higher potential of
starting to commit crimes at the age of 21,
compared to those coming from united
families.
Also, the specialists noticed that in the
families broken when the children were 0 to 4
years old, the children were much more
inclined to delinquency compared to children
who were 11 to 15 years old when their
families broke.Remarriage (which happens
more often after divorce than after death) was
also associated to a high risk of delinquency,
a fact that might suggest of possible negative
effect of the step parent.
Marry Morash and Lila Rucher have
come to a certain conclusion in a common
research, that teenage moms which stand
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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2
pierderea acestuia se ntmpl mult mai des49.
Comiterea delictelor este ntr-un
procent semnificativ mai redus la familiile
unite (22%) i important - aproape la fel de
sczut n cazul lipsei tatlui, dar unde mama
are o atitudine afectuoas.
Aceste procente sugereaz c o familie
dezmembrat dar unde mama este afectuoas
nu reprezint un factor criminologic mai
important dect o familie cu conflicte ntre
prini, dese sau foarte dese. Mai mult, o
mam iubitoare poate fi capabil ntr-un
anumit sens de a compensa lipsa tatlui.
S-a stabilit c, copiii din familiile
dezmembrate prin divor sau separate au un
risc potenial mult mai crescut s nceap s
comit infraciuni la vrsta de 21 de ani, n
comparaie cu cei din familiile unite.
De asemenea, s-a constatat c n
familiile care s-au destrmat n timp ce copiii
aveau 0-4 ani, acetia erau mult mai
predispui la delincvene fa de copiii crora,
de exemplu, li se dezmembrau familiile la
vrsta de 11-15 ani.
Recstoria (care se ntmpl mai
adesea dup divor dect dup moarte) a fost,
de asemenea, asociat cu un risc crescut de
delincven, fapt care ar putea sugera un
posibil efect negativ al printelui vitreg.
Cu certitudine, subliniaz Marry
Morash i Lila Rucher ntr-o cercetare
comun, mamele adolescente care rmn
singure i triesc n srcie sunt primele
expuse s aib copii delincveni50.
2.7.Privarea socio-economic - cauz
a delincvenei juvenile
Multe teorii criminologice apreciaz c
delincvenii provin din clasele joase i vor s
explice de ce se ntmpl astfel. Albert
49
Tudor Amza, op.cit., pag.594
50
Marry Morash, Lila Rucker, Deviance.The Interactionis. Perspective, New York, Macmillan Company, 1989,
p.17.
Annals of the Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Letters and Social Sciences Series, Issue 1/2012
alone and live in poverty are the first exposed
to the risk of having delinquent children.
2.7. The social and economic
deprivation a cause of juvenile
delinquency
Many criminology theories state that
delinquents derive from lower social classes
and want to explain this phenomenon. Albert
Cohen for example sustained that the
juvenile coming from lower (poor) classes
barely succeeded in reaching the middle class
standards, because their parents were inclined
not to teach them how to postpone immediate
satisfaction in favour of long term benefits.
In many criminology research,
delinquents and non-delinquents are equal in
front of the SES (social and economic status).
The relation between SES and delinquency is
approached in an impressive plethora of
written texts, which, in exchange, is full of
contradictions, although there are many
specialized opinions according to which there
is no relation at all between them.
The parents deprivation of an adequate
social and economic status is sometimes
associated to a higher possibility of children
involving in crimes.It is considered that, even
after the child grows up and develops, one
can still notice in his/her usual conduct the
traces of the economic and social deprivation
suffered during their young years.
In countries with a functioning market
economy, the social and economic
deprivation represents an important risk
factor for delinquency, for breaking the law
in general, and the children coming form low
income families are more inclined to engage
in criminal activities than children with a low
occupational status, but with higher financial
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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2

Cohen - de exemplu - n urm cu peste 50 de resources.

ani, susinea c minorii din clasele de jos
(srace) reuesc cu greu s ajung la
standardele claselor de mijloc, fiindc prinii
lor tind s nu-i nvee s amne satisfaciile
imediate n favoarea celor pe termen lung51.
n multe cercetri criminologice,
delincvenii i non-delincvenii sunt egali n
faa SES (statutul socio-economic). De altfel,
despre relaia dintre SES i comiterea de
delicte exist un volum impresionant de
literatur care, ns, este caracterizat de
contradicii, dei multe alte opinii nclin s
cread c ntre statutul socio-economic (SES)
i comiterea de delicte nu exist o corelaie52.
Privarea prinilor de un statut socio-
economic adecvat este asociat deseori i cu
o posibilitate lrgit, oferit copiilor de a
comite delicte.
Se apreciaz c, i dup ce copilul
crete i se dezvolt, se mai poate nc
observa n comportamentul su, care este
unul normal, obinuit, privarea socio-
economic pe care a avut-o n copilrie.
n rile unde economia de pia
funcioneaz, privarea socio-economic
constituie un important factor de risc pentru
producerea infraciunilor, n general pentru
nclcarea legii, iar copiii din familiile cu un
venit sczut sunt mai expui la a comite
infraciuni, dect copiii celor cu un prestigiu
ocupaional sczut dar cu posibiliti
financiare.
2.8.Influena micrilor de
gang(bieilor de cartier)
Cercetrile n aceast direcie au fost
inaugurate de Universitatea Statului
Washington i de Consiliul European de
Cercetare pentru Crima Organizat, cu scopul
2.8. The influence of the gang
movements
The research in this direction were
initiated by the University of the State of
Washington and by the European Council of
Research on the Organized Crime, aiming at
analyzing the roots of violence, as well as the
causes of the organized crime incidents
among young people.A common feature of
the American, European and also Romanian
youth, especially after 1990s is the gang
movement, a relatively new concept in
criminology studies.(Amza, 2002)
In 1993, Walker, Schmidt i Lunghofer
defined a couple of reasons for which young
people adhere to gangs:
- looking for love;
- integrating in a new street discipline;
- the need to belong to a community;
- the need of recognition and power;
- the need of frienship, nervous and
sexual excitement;
- finding a place where they are
accepted irrespective of race, origin, sex or
sexual orientation.
The American researchers Hagedorn
and Macon described in 1988 a couple of
gang typologies, depending on the
dimensions of the city, of the community and
of the neighbourhood. They highlighted the
fact that the gang movement often structures
on ethnic groups, on sex groups, on religious
beliefs or on political options.
Hagedorn and Macon recommended
three ways to prevent the effects of gang
movements :
1. the gang members must participate to
reducation programmes, organized by the

51
Tudor Amza , Criminologie, Ed. Lumuna Lex , Bucureti, 2002, p.225-227.
52
William C.Bailey, Poverty, Inequality and City Homicide Rates:Some Not So Unexpected Findings (Srcie,
inegalitate i ratele urbane ale omuciderilor, nite descoperiri neateptate), Criminologie 22(4),1984, p.531-580.

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Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2
analizrii cauzelor violenei, precum i a
crimei organizate n rndul tinerilor.
Se pune firesc ntrebarea: de ce tinerii
se integreaz rapid n micrile de gang
(cartier)?
O trstur caracteristic tinerilor att
din Statele Unite, din Europa ct i din
Romnia, mai ales dup 1990, este micarea
de gang, o noiune relativ nou aprut n
studiile criminologice.
Walker, Schmidt i Lunghofer
defineau n 1993 cteva motive pentru care
tinerii ader la micarea de gang:
- cutarea dragostei;
- integrarea ntr-o nou disciplin de
strad (termenul gang este adaptat n
tipologia romneasc sub forma cartier:
biei de cartier);
- nevoia de a aparine unei comuniti;
- nevoia de recunoatere i putere;
- nevoia de prietenie, de excitare
nervoas i sexual;
- un loc unde sunt acceptai indiferent
de ras, origine, sex sau orientare sexual.
Cercettorii americani Hagedorn i
Macon descriau n 1988 cteva tipologii de
micri de gang, n funcie de mrimea
oraului, de mrimea comunitii i de
mrimea cartierului. Ei scoteau n eviden
c, deseori, micarea de gang se stuctureaz
pe grupuri etnice, n funcie de sex, de
apartenena religioas sau cea politic.
Hagedorn i Macon recomandau trei
modaliti de prevenire :
1. membrii micrii de gang trebuie s
participe la programele de reeducare,
organizate de comunitile cartierelor sau
oraelor respective;
2. un punct important ar fi crearea de
noi locuri de munc n zona respectiv,
deschiderea unor centre de educaie, altele
dect cele impuse de sistemul judiciar (coli
de reeducare sau centre de detenie pentru
Annals of the Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Letters and Social Sciences Series, Issue 1/2012
communities of the respective hoods or cities;
2. an important point would be the
creation of new work places in the respective
areas, the opening of educational centers,
others than the ones imposed by the legal
system (reeducation schools or detention
centers for minors);
3. the members of the community, the
parents, the relatives, the neighbours must
involve in knowing and understanding the
lifestyle of young gangsters.
In 1993, Taylor described several
strategies to prevent gang movements the
family and the community being essential
factors in the development of children and
teenagers, both emotionally and
psychologically.
The family and the community must
share the responsibility of teaching young
people how to avoid drugs and any kind of
criminal act in general.
A solid education is directly linked to
the positive development of young people;
when it is present, those who participate in
such a programme have good chances to
grow as reliable members of the community.
The generation gap is another factor
that makes young people get into gangs. A
good communication strategy and the
elimination of conflicts between generations
might calm down the tensions between the
community members.
The recreational programmes such as
sports, music, theater and community service
can help young people build and consolidate
their personalities, as well as self-confidence
and respect towards peers.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1. Amza T., 2002, Criminologie-Tratat de
teorie i politic criminologic (Ed. Lumina Lex,
Bucureti)
2. Banciu D., Rdulescu S., Voicu M., 1985,
Introducere n sociologia devianei (Ed. tiinific i
51
Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2

minori); Enciclopedic, Bucureti)

3. implicarea membrilor comunitii, 3. Mitrofan N., Zdrenghea V, Butoi T.,1994,
Psihologie judiciar (Ed Sansa, Bucureti)
prini, rude, vecini, pentru cunoaterea
4. Rdulescu S. M., Piticariu M., 1989,
modului de abordare a tinerilor care au aderat Devian comportamental i boal psihic(Ed
la micarea de gang. Academiei Romne, Bucureti)
n 1993, Taylor descria cteva strategii 5. Rdulescu S., Banciu D., 1996, Sociologia
de prevenire a micrii de gang - familia i crimei i criminalitii (Ed. ansa, Bucureti)
6. Roca Al., 1975, Psihologie general (Ed.
comunitatea fiind eseniale n dezvoltarea
Didactic i Pedagogic, Bucureti)
copilului i adolescentului, att din punct de 7. Stnior E., 2009, Delincvena juvenil
vedere emoional ct i psihic. (Ed Oscar Print, Bucureti)
Familia i comunitatea trebuie s-i
mpart responsabilitatea pentru nvarea
tinerilor n ceea ce privete riscurile
drogurilor i, n general, ale comiterii unui act
criminal.
O educaie bun este direct legat de
dezvoltarea pozitiv a tinerilor, iar acolo unde
exist, aceia care particip la un program de
educaie au mari anse s se dezvolte ca buni
membri ai comunitii.
Conflictul dintre generaii este un alt
factor care determin aderarea tinerilor la
micarea de gang. Comunicarea i eliminarea
conflictelor dintre generaii, eliminarea
opoziiei dintre concepii sau idei, pot aplana
divergenele dintre membrii aceleiai
comuniti.
Programele de recreare sportiv,
muzica, teatrul, precum i activitile din
comunitate pot ajuta la formarea
personalitii tinerilor, pot, de asemenea,
cristaliza personalitatea acestora, precum i
ncrederea n sine i respectul fa de ceilali
tineri.

BIBLIOGRAFIE:
1. Amza T., 2002, Criminologie-Tratat de teorie
i politic criminologic (Ed. Lumina Lex, Bucureti)
2. Banciu D., Rdulescu S., Voicu M., 1985,
Introducere n sociologia devianei (Ed. tiinific i
Enciclopedic, Bucureti)
3. Mitrofan N., Zdrenghea V, Butoi T.,1994,
Psihologie judiciar (Ed Sansa, Bucureti)
4. Rdulescu S. M., Piticariu M., 1989, Devian

Annals of the Constantin Brncui University of Trgu Jiu, Letters and Social Sciences Series, Issue 1/2012

52
Analele Universitii Constantin Brncui din Trgu Jiu, Seria Litere i tiine Sociale, Nr. 1/201 2

comportamental i boal psihic(Ed Academiei

Romne, Bucureti)
5. Rdulescu S., Banciu D., 1996, Sociologia
crimei i criminalitii (Ed. ansa, Bucureti)
6. Roca Al., 1975, Psihologie general (Ed.
Didactic i Pedagogic, Bucureti)
7. Stnior E., 2009, Delincvena juvenil (Ed
Oscar Print, Bucureti)

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53