Parenting Styles and Juvenile Delinquency Amidst Pandemic

This study determined the parenting styles used by parents to their children who committed wrongful acts who were housed at Naga City Children’s Home, Pacol, Naga City during this pandemic. This study used descriptive-correlation and associational methods and Questionnaires were used to gather data from 29 children in conflict with the law rehabilitated at Naga City Children’s Home during the start of lockdown, March 2020, to August 2021. Data gathered were treated statistically through the frequency count and percentage technique, weighted mean, Pearson’s chi square and coefficient of determination. It was found out that juvenile delinquents were all males whose ages were from 13 to 17 years old. Most parents were married, and were low wage earners. Most of these juveniles came from big family structure. Index crimes, more specifically, theft was the commonly violated act of juveniles, followed by robbery. Parenting style has nothing to do with juvenile delinquency. Home characteristics also has no significant relationship on juvenile delinquency. As to the personal characteristics, juvenile delinquency has association to the age of juvenile, family income and mother’s occupation. In conclusion, juvenile delinquency in Naga City decreased by 75% (according to CSWDO Naga) during pandemic. Other factors such as financial problems, and boredom are the reasons why there are still cases of delinquency despite of restrictions. Intervention programs were proposed like lectures about the impact of delinquency, skills related programs, which include livelihood skills, games or and team activities that may help them boost their confidence and make themselves busy and a more purposeful activities that would help them earn a living in a lawful way.