What lies in the future of our young people? Do we really know? One should believe that we have the power to mold the minds of our children, that we must take all necessary steps to ensure that the mold is something we would like to see our emerging youth molded into, and that we cannot allow this mold to be broken. Our fundamental survival depends on those minds of our youth that we must take the time to shape today. Juvenile delinquency is a hugely growing problem in the United States today. Juvenile delinquency “refers to abnormal social or legal behavior by children or adolescents, towards minors, such as juvenile detention centers. There are a multitude of different theories about the causes of crime, most if not all of which can be applied to the causes of youth crime” (Youth Delinquency, 1999 p.1). A juvenile delinquent is someone who repeatedly commits a crime. There are multiple reasons for the increase in the number of criminal activities among the nation's youth population. “A considerable amount of research has been devoted to the factors that may place young people at risk of delinquency. These risk factors can be found in every area of ​​life (individual, family, school, community and peer group) and everyone experiences some degree of risk in their lives. With regards to juvenile delinquency, the number, type, duration, timing and severity of risks can increase the likelihood that a young person will engage in antisocial behavior” (Christle, Jolivette and Nelson, 2005 p. 70). Delinquent and criminal behavior among youth, as they navigate the transition from childhood to adulthood, is an increasingly complex and confusing world. For many young people today, traditional patterns drive relationship…middle of paper…frequency. “Because the development of juvenile delinquency is influenced by numerous factors, prevention efforts are global in scope. Preventive services include activities such as substance abuse education and treatment, family counseling, youth mentoring, parenting, educational support, and youth counseling” (Youth Delinquency, 1999 p. 4). These protective measures should also include protective factors, such as strong social support systems, positive role models and psycho-social education. Encouraging our young people to volunteer promotes civic-mindedness and gives them the opportunity to associate with other young people and positive people. When our young people are held accountable and take responsibility for all their actions and behaviors, they will have better, more balanced self-esteem and be more confident when facing the world.