Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary (1980) defines adolescence as "the state or process of growing up"; even more specifically, adolescence is also defined as "the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority". Looking back on their adolescence, adults often conjure up grand memories, and laugh at their mistakes. Adolescence is a period in life that everyone must 'survive' in order to become an adult, although some go through it more turbulently than others. "Falling approximately between the ages of 12 and 20, adolescence is characterized by physical changes leading to sexual maturity" (Encyclopedia.com). Along with these obvious physical changes, more complex and hidden changes occur in an adolescent's attitude, outlook, and self-identity. Ultimately, the 'goal' of adolescence is to gain personal independence, and a sense of one's self. Although these physiological changes happen slowly, the environment has a great impact on how one's adolescent period will affect the person when they reach adulthood. Affective discipline at home, strong support groups, and a loving environment are all part of the key to surviving this difficult period and becoming a stronger person in the end. Many teenagers without the right combination of support factors in their lives can 'slip through the cracks' and discover a world more hostile than ever imagined. Our job as parents in today's society requires an understanding of this problematic time in a child's life, as well as regression into our own adolescence, to better prepare ourselves to raise the generations of tomorrow. Juvenile Delinquency is defined by Webster's as "a status in a juvenile characterized by antisocial behavior that is beyond parental control and therefore subject to legal action" as well as "a violation of the law committed by a juvenile and not punishable by death or life imprisonment". In short, juvenile delinquency involves any crimina...
