DELINQUENCY
By Fia Baudelaire | Karakura News
Hello, readers. This is Fia Baudelaire writing to you from my office in the Karakura News Station. The rain's tapping against the windows tonight - fitting, given the topic at hand. Delinquency. It's a word tossed around like candy in our town. But what does it actually mean in the context of Karakura? Who decides when a student becomes a "delinquent"? And are we, as a community, paying close enough attention to the why behind the behaviour? Today, in this report, we'll go into a deep dive - a candid look into the cracks in our social fabric, where the majority of our youth are slipping through. In this report, I'll be interviewing students, the local law enforcement and a psychiatrist to peel back the layers to understand what fuels defiance and how we might be failing those we label too quickly.
DEFINING DELINQUENCYBy Fia Baudelaire | Karakura News
Hello, readers. This is Fia Baudelaire writing to you from my office in the Karakura News Station. The rain's tapping against the windows tonight - fitting, given the topic at hand. Delinquency. It's a word tossed around like candy in our town. But what does it actually mean in the context of Karakura? Who decides when a student becomes a "delinquent"? And are we, as a community, paying close enough attention to the why behind the behaviour? Today, in this report, we'll go into a deep dive - a candid look into the cracks in our social fabric, where the majority of our youth are slipping through. In this report, I'll be interviewing students, the local law enforcement and a psychiatrist to peel back the layers to understand what fuels defiance and how we might be failing those we label too quickly.
Delinquency encloses a scale of behaviours that breaches legal and societal norms. While often associated with youth infractions which range from vandalism to organised gang activity - delinquent behaviour is not just merely an expression of individual aberration. Rather, it is a manifestation of larger sociological dysfunctions. Theories of criminology suggests that delinquency can emerge from a wide range of factors, including familial neglect or instability to deficient socialisation processes. This will be proved in the later portion of my report!
THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF DELINQUENCY
Popular discourse frequently portrays delinquents as adolescents exhibiting a disregard for authority. However, yes, I’ve done my research, studies indicate that delinquent behaviour often arises as a response to pressure - economic precarity or otherwise, as mentioned previously, familial neglect and social marginalisation. Peer group dynamics also play a role by reinforcing behaviours that provide… A sense of identity and belonging.
A student at KA was kind enough to sit with me to discuss and exchange his thoughts on the aforementioned topic. [K | KAORU , F | FIA]
K | Uhh- yeah sure. My name is Kaoru Jin-Ryuk Hattori and I’m twenty this year.
F | Thank you for joining me today, Mr Hattori. Umm…
[The shuffling of notes could be heard]
F | Okay, when you hear the word “delinquent”, what’s the first image that pops into your head?
Like, a kid skipping class or a street gang… Stuff like that.
K | Well, I guess what comes to mind would be rowdy teenagers, starting fights in or out of school… Er… Essentially being a menace? Like, a kid skipping class or a street gang… Stuff like that.
I guess the image that pops into my head would be a group of people going around to wreak havoc?
F | Hmm, interesting! What do you think contributes most to delinquency among young people in Karakura?
K | The lack of parents. I think Karakura has the most amount of orphans and that definitely adds to it.
“I didn’t get enough attention from my momma and papa so I’m acting out” kind of vibe.
F | Ah, of course. Sure, the whole “no parental guidance” thing makes complete sense but what about the ones who DO have parents?
K | Hmm, maybe they just need a place to vent their anger and angst? Since clearly they can’t get guidance from parental figures, they just lash out. I think it’s also the fact that crime is so… Prevalent in Karakura that everyone wants to join in. Get a taste of what’s there to be offered in the underground I guess?
F | Is it really about needing an outlet though? Or do you think there’s a thrill to it? Y’know, the “forbidden fruit” effect?
If crime weren’t so prevalent, would people still be so eager to act out or is danger and adrenaline part of the appeal?
[The clip ends.]
WHAT DRIVES ADOLESCENTS TO REBEL?
Historically, stories surrounding rebellion have been… How do I put this? Romanticised, a good example would be literary antiheroes like Walter White from Breaking Bad or The Beast from Beauty and the Beast. In Karakura, delinquent identities have similarly gained a degree of subcultural capital. Evading the authorities to street racers, these behaviours, while legally proscribed, hauls duende. For some, participation in delinquency functions as an initiation of sorts into a social network.
INTERVIEW WITH THE KPD
To gain an institutional perspective on the issue, I spoke with an officer from the Karakura Police Department (KPD) who we will refer to as K307. [307 | OFFICER , F | FIA]
F | Alright, first question- how prevalent is juvenile delinquency in Karakura and has it increased in recent years?
307 | Well, I’ve been in Karakura or well, around Karakura, for the better part of up to sixteen years. I’ve stated this a few times in the past but it’s been decreasing. So far, an abundant sum has disappeared since I was about. . . Eighteen years old, it feels like so little time has changed but it’s been so long. It’s rather heartwarming the city I consider to be like a second home is doing well within these recent years. It shows that even from the perspective of other cities and the mainland, if they look at us as a crime riddled city, that we can prove something different. We together can steer away from crime and get on with our life. I apologise if I came off a bit too passive aggressively that wasn’t my intent at all.
F | Oh, please, don’t worry about it- would you attribute this decline primarily to increased
law enforcement efforts or broader societal changes? Do you believe that this trend is sustainable
or do you think there are underlying concerns that still need to be addressed?
307 | It’s been on this steady decline for a solid four- no maybe eight years? I believe it’s been the decrease in standards regarding prejudice against people who have tattoos and etcetera. Japan itself is very nauseous and wary about those who decide to express themselves in tattoos which is unfortunate especially for the meaning behind some such. Their prejudice lied in the yakuza that used to plague prefectures like Osaka in the past- Karakura has been breaking that prejudice one step at a time, and thanks to not only our new commissioner but also our new mayor, Nicole Brown, I believe her name is? law enforcement efforts or broader societal changes? Do you believe that this trend is sustainable
or do you think there are underlying concerns that still need to be addressed?
F | That’s something we don’t hear often, very interesting! Do you think this change in attitude has helped rebuild trust between
the law enforcement and the community? Ah, and very vaguely- what are the most common forms of delinquency that the KPD encounters?
307 | To a degree I believe so, though, some still hold a disdain to officers and the department as a whole, especially to those who dishonoured the title of being renowned as a Karakura Police Department officer and used it abusively in the past. Which is another reason I swear my wholehearted trust in this commissioner I’ve been under since I became a cadet, he’s taking the time to single-handedly ensure no officer has the ability to abuse the equipment they’ve been entrusted with to defend the safety of our city and our fellow officers. the law enforcement and the community? Ah, and very vaguely- what are the most common forms of delinquency that the KPD encounters?
I am aware of past officers' mistakes, but this is a new light of KPD that’s ever-changing and if you were to put your trust in an officer. If I may, put your trust in me to ensure nothing like such a thing ever occurs again.
And before I forget to answer your other question, a large amount is college students taking pranks too far, ending up in an official arrest, as well as unfortunately as it hurts my soul to say this, animal abuse is another large amount of crime that occurs and it’s a horror as to why people would.
F | Sounds like you’ve seen firsthand the damage caused by past missteps - I’m sure the
community thanks all of you for such a change. And. . . That’s unsettling.
I imagine cases like that must take a toll even on seasoned officers. . .
Right! Last question, what challenges do officers face in addressing youth delinquency?
community thanks all of you for such a change. And. . . That’s unsettling.
I imagine cases like that must take a toll even on seasoned officers. . .
Right! Last question, what challenges do officers face in addressing youth delinquency?
307 | How do I answer this. . . We utilize internships here at the very station to connect with Karakura’s youth and community. I see a lot of underage drinking supported by elders of the community, which, as you know, does result in an arrest. I think the fact officers being able to connect with the youth, and not take up such a shielded approach-
[!] A radio beep could be heard. [!]
307 | Sorry, one of my officers asked something- where was I? Right, I believe the fact that officers are able to connect and show the public that police work isn’t as harsh as it may appear to some, we aren’t just arresting people without sufficient evidence to provide an arrest, I believe with how the community and social structure of Karakura has been changing it’s addressing itself in a way with the aid of KPD being there to lend a helping hand, as always. We will be there to help the citizens of Karakura.
I’m sorry if that didn’t hit the mark of your question, it was a difficult sum to gather up and target in a singular answer. . .
F | No worries, multitasking is a part of the job, I’d imagine.
Well, thank you for taking the time, officer. It’s been a pleasure. That’ll conclude our lil’ interview session,
I’ll make sure to give ya’ a heads up before the report comes out!
Well, thank you for taking the time, officer. It’s been a pleasure. That’ll conclude our lil’ interview session,
I’ll make sure to give ya’ a heads up before the report comes out!
[The clip ends.]
INTERVIEW WITH A PSYCHIATRIST
Nooow, to explore further the psychological factors of delinquent behaviour, I interviewed a psychiatrist from the Karakura Hospital who we will refer to as ‘J’. [J | PSYCHIATRIST , F | FIA]
F | Thank you for joining us today!
J | Of course, thank you for letting me join you.
F | Very well then, first, what would you say are the primary psychological factors underlying delinquency?
J | Psychological factors. . . Hmm, well, there are a lot of factors that I believe contribute to such
behaviours but if I had to think off the top of my head, it would be low self-control, high aggression and
some sort of mental health disorders.
F | Very interesting! Would you say peer pressure plays a role in delinquency?
If so, how does peer pressure shape delinquent behaviour?
If so, how does peer pressure shape delinquent behaviour?
J | I would say that depends. The social environment that a child is put around is a big factor in whether or not a child will fall into delinquent behaviour. For example, a child surrounded by friends who bring positivity to those around them will have a less likely chance than one that is surrounded by negativity. That being said, kids who have had a bad experience with life and find others that reciprocate that, anger or the feeling that they’ve been wronged by life, will be more willing to fall into these behaviours. A collective mindset of feeling they’ve been wronged, or that they have to fight to survive, can and will shape the mindset of these behaviours.
F | That definitely makes sense- see I would’ve said the same thing but it feels good to hear it from a professional.
Right! Last question I have for you, what intervention strategies do you think has proven most effective
to curb delinquency? Like, what would YOU do if you encountered a pupil struggling with delinquent related behaviours?
Right! Last question I have for you, what intervention strategies do you think has proven most effective
to curb delinquency? Like, what would YOU do if you encountered a pupil struggling with delinquent related behaviours?
J | Well, interventions can be tricky. It’s always good to let the child know they’re loved and that they have others to fall on in hard times. But there are different routes you can take for it. Starting with programs; community-based, the****utic, family-based programs, each of them have their own methods- but my personal recommendation is going for the family orientated route. It hits deeper when the closest to the child expresses their concerns and worries to the child.
F | Mm, I mean, Karakura does lack the ‘parent’ part of family programs.
Would you say the lack of parental figures also play a role in delinquent behaviour?
Would you say the lack of parental figures also play a role in delinquent behaviour?
J | It does contribute to it. Kids who have that strong authority figure in their lives are less likely to slip into the
se behaviours than those who lack them. Arguably, even less if kids don’t have that strong authority in their lives,
the social environment comes into play.
F | I couldn’t agree more, thank you Doctor for your time with me today!
[!] The clip ends. [!]
CONCLUSION
Juvenile delinquency in Karakura is not a simple division of crime vs. compliance- as seen from both interviews, it casts back a large interchange of psychological and social class forces. I think we can all agree that more. . . Interdisciplinary approaches are needed to encourage change in our society and as Karakura continues to develop, the manner in which its institutions respond to delinquency will permanently shape the town’s social fabric, good, bad or otherwise.
That’s a wrap for this month’s report, till next time.