Navigating from the why and how’s of Crimes to Positve Youth Development Perspectives

AbstractThe emerging crimes among adolescent is a worrisome concern for all stakeholders especially in contemporary society. Relentless efforts have been made by policymakers, educationists and members of civil society to unravel the factors that give rise to this phenomenon. In this regard, workable strategies for its prevention have been evolved from time to time to address its occurrences through positive reinforcement strategies. Additionally, several theoretical models have been formulated by educationists who have attempted to provide the most plausible explanationsfor the occurrence of conflicts that sometimes lead to the commitment of heinous crimes. There is a general consensus among all, that no single approach, can explain the whys and hows of crimes that are committed by children mostly in the transient phase. The legal term generally used to classify children in conflict with the law is juveniles, referring to those are under the age of eighteen. The present paper would attempt to discuss different theoretical models as well as deliberate upon the shift towards the positive youth development perspective. This perspective envisions youth not as problematic but as an important asset to their respective countries. Their potential have to be nurtured for being an asset and responsible citizen tothe family, community and society. Efforts will also be made to discuss youth as the movers of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).