C
,MY2603 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 1
2025 - DUE Ma
MULTIPLE CHOICE,ASSURED EXCELLENCE
1.Explain why status offences such as consuming alcohol,
running away from home, truancy, and smoking, affect the
nature of child and youth misbehaviour.
The Impact of Status Offenses on Child and Youth
Misbehavior
Introduction Status offenses are behaviors that are
considered unlawful only when committed by minors, such as
consuming alcohol, running away from home, truancy, and
smoking. These actions are not classified as crimes for adults
but are seen as indicators of potential delinquency in youth.
The categorization of these behaviors as status offenses
reflects society’s concern for the welfare and development of
young individuals. This essay explores how status offenses
affect child and youth misbehavior by examining their role in
early criminalization, family and social disruptions,
educational consequences, potential for escalation, and their
impact on moral and social development.
Age-Specific Criminalization One of the defining
characteristics of status offenses is that they are illegal solely
based on the age of the individual. Actions like underage
drinking or truancy are not criminal for adults but are
, considered harmful for minors due to their potential long-
term consequences. This distinction in legal treatment
highlights society’s role in protecting young people from
making decisions that could negatively impact their futures.
However, this also means that youth engaging in such
behaviors may be unfairly labeled as delinquents, even if
their actions do not pose a direct threat to society.
Early Interaction with the Justice System Status offenses
often lead to early encounters with the juvenile justice
system, which can have lasting effects on a young person’s
development. When minors are arrested or placed in
detention for these offenses, they may be exposed to more
serious offenders and become trapped in a cycle of criminal
behavior. Additionally, involvement in the justice system can
lead to stigmatization, making it harder for youth to
reintegrate into society and increasing the likelihood of
future delinquency.
Family and Social Disruptions Many status offenses, such as
running away from home, are symptoms of deeper family
and social issues. Youth who engage in these behaviors may
be experiencing neglect, abuse, or family conflict. Rather
than treating the act of running away as a criminal offense, a
more effective approach would be to address the underlying
issues that lead to such behavior. Similarly, smoking and
underage drinking often stem from peer pressure or a lack of
,MY2603 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 1
2025 - DUE Ma
MULTIPLE CHOICE,ASSURED EXCELLENCE
1.Explain why status offences such as consuming alcohol,
running away from home, truancy, and smoking, affect the
nature of child and youth misbehaviour.
The Impact of Status Offenses on Child and Youth
Misbehavior
Introduction Status offenses are behaviors that are
considered unlawful only when committed by minors, such as
consuming alcohol, running away from home, truancy, and
smoking. These actions are not classified as crimes for adults
but are seen as indicators of potential delinquency in youth.
The categorization of these behaviors as status offenses
reflects society’s concern for the welfare and development of
young individuals. This essay explores how status offenses
affect child and youth misbehavior by examining their role in
early criminalization, family and social disruptions,
educational consequences, potential for escalation, and their
impact on moral and social development.
Age-Specific Criminalization One of the defining
characteristics of status offenses is that they are illegal solely
based on the age of the individual. Actions like underage
drinking or truancy are not criminal for adults but are
, considered harmful for minors due to their potential long-
term consequences. This distinction in legal treatment
highlights society’s role in protecting young people from
making decisions that could negatively impact their futures.
However, this also means that youth engaging in such
behaviors may be unfairly labeled as delinquents, even if
their actions do not pose a direct threat to society.
Early Interaction with the Justice System Status offenses
often lead to early encounters with the juvenile justice
system, which can have lasting effects on a young person’s
development. When minors are arrested or placed in
detention for these offenses, they may be exposed to more
serious offenders and become trapped in a cycle of criminal
behavior. Additionally, involvement in the justice system can
lead to stigmatization, making it harder for youth to
reintegrate into society and increasing the likelihood of
future delinquency.
Family and Social Disruptions Many status offenses, such as
running away from home, are symptoms of deeper family
and social issues. Youth who engage in these behaviors may
be experiencing neglect, abuse, or family conflict. Rather
than treating the act of running away as a criminal offense, a
more effective approach would be to address the underlying
issues that lead to such behavior. Similarly, smoking and
underage drinking often stem from peer pressure or a lack of
