What leads to crime and delinquent behavior? Qualitative study in Quito -Ecuador

What leads to crime and delinquent behavior? Perceptions of community members in Quito –Ecuador

Fordham University 

Spring, 2013

Literature review

What causes criminal and delinquent behavior has been a historical debate among researchers and practitioners. While some theoretical frameworks define that crime is cause by micro systemic factors such as negative treatment in families of deviant attachment to parental figures; others suggest that disadvantage communities, economic inequalities and marginalization factors are the cause for crime and delinquent behavior. For instance, "Strain Theory" states that criminal behavior is caused by negative treatment in family systems, such as child abuse (Baron, 2009).  
The social- bond framework suggests that attachment could be a factor for delinquent behavior; if the parent modulates delinquent behavior that child learns the behavior as a result of attachment to parental figure (Gault-Sherman, 2012). On the other hand, theorists such as De Coster (2006) have explored the relationship between communities and crime; stating that youth who reside in extremely disadvantaged communities have higher violent behavior rates. Additionally, Bernburg, Khron, Rivera (2009) suggested that marginalization and social exclusion are a cause for delinquent behavior.  Nowadays, the debate continues among researchers and practitioners around the world, because criminal and delinquent behavior does not seem to vanish; in spite of the multiple social, psychological and legal interventions devoted to extinct this phenomenon of the face of humanity. But the theoretical debate regarding what leads to criminal and delinquent behavior is also happening in the minds of individuals living in communities affected by crime and delinquency. 

Abstract

  

Thus, the aim of the present study conducted in Quito- Ecuador is to explore the perceptions of stakeholders in Quito- community regarding the causes of criminal and delinquent behavior because recently, crime and delinquency in Ecuador has become one of the most controversial phenomena. In 2012 the "Distrito Metropolitano de Quito" presented a statistical report on the incidence of Crime and Delinquency in the City in 2011; the report is based on the frequency for every 100,000 people by zone - the zones are: Calderon, Centro, Eloy Alfaro, La Delicia, Los Chillos, El Norte, Quitumbe, Tumbaco, Sin dato.  In 2011, a total of 6,121 robberies were reported in Quito; of this percentage 54 % of robberies use a fire weapon. Additionally 70% of these robberies were directed to males and 30 % directed to females. 60, 28 % involved lesions to the victim, and 227 homicides were due to robbery assaults (Informe de seguridad ciudadana, 2011). The Distrito Metropolitano de Quito (2011) has found that 95 % of the reported robberies are against private property. These statistics are not shocking since the total of Quito’s population is 1,839,853 (Metropolitan District of Quito, Population, 2012). But the problem is that victims usually do not report, because the laws are not design to protect victims. For instance, the Ecuadorian Congress in March, 2009 changed the “Penal code” stating that only robberies that exceed three minimum monthly salaries; this is $600 USD could be considered a contravention (Observatorio de Seguridad Ciudadana, 2011). This law has generated controversy in the Ecuadorian community because while the intention of law makers was to protect the rights of people committing robberies of low value. The rights of the victims remain unprotected; therefore it decreases robbery report, but increases opportunity to steal objects of low value such as cell phones, jewelry and automobile parts. This author hypothesizes that effective policy procedures require the input of stakeholders in the community regarding what leads to crime; since statistics and top down theoretical approaches are not a substantial source of information in this situation. 

This qualitative research will present the perception of 22 stakeholders in Quito- Community exploring: what leads to crime and delinquent behavior based on open-ended interviews. The sample was purposive and involves the following participants: a) 4  theorist and practitioners in the field of Crime and Delinquency; one was the former Director of all the detention centers  in Ecuador, 2 are clinical psychologists in a juvenile center for females,  1 social worker in  juvenile center  for males  and 1 director of a detention center,  b) 3 business owners- foreign born community members, c) 2 business owners Ecuadorian citizens, d)  3 government administrators; 1 working for the Department of Environmental affairs, 1 working for the Department of Foreign relations (Ambassador of Ecuador in the United Nations), 1 working in the Justice Department. e) 7 community members; victims of assault and robbery, f) 3 ex convicts. 

The results of this study show a range of perceptions’ differences and similarities among stakeholders regarding what leads to criminal and delinquent behavior. Despite of their differences in perception about causes of criminal behavior; all the stakeholders agreed that crime and delinquency is a fast growing phenomenon in Quito- Ecuador. All the stakeholders including ex convicts stated that they fear that crime and delinquency is constantly affecting their sense of security. The most important conclusion of this study is that it reveals that social policy implementation is primarily led by influential leader's perception.  

Share :

Tweet

✚