CMY2603
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2024
Unique Number:
Due Date: April 2024
INTRODUCTION
The case study of Jake, a 15-year-old school learner, presents a complex and
challenging situation that many young people around the world can relate to. Jake's life
is filled with various stressors, ranging from familial and financial difficulties to exposure
to violence and bullying. His rebellious and non-conforming behavior, such as running
away from home and truancy from school, reflects the struggles he faces in his daily life.
Additionally, Jake's experimentation with substances and alcohol abuse are indicative of
his attempt to cope with the overwhelming stress and hardship he experiences. In this
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INTRODUCTION
The case study of Jake, a 15-year-old school learner, presents a complex and
challenging situation that many young people around the world can relate to. Jake's
life is filled with various stressors, ranging from familial and financial difficulties to
exposure to violence and bullying. His rebellious and non-conforming behavior, such
as running away from home and truancy from school, reflects the struggles he faces
in his daily life. Additionally, Jake's experimentation with substances and alcohol abuse
are indicative of his attempt to cope with the overwhelming stress and hardship he
experiences. In this assignment, we will explore Jake's situation through the concepts
of status offences and the influence of challenging circumstances on susceptibility to
joining a gang. We will study learning units 2 and 3 in the study guide, as well as the
chapters on 'risk factors pertaining to youth offenders' and 'the nature and extent of
child and youth misbehavior in South Africa' found in the prescribed book, to gain an
understanding of these concepts.
DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS
Risk factor
A risk factor refers to a variable that predicts the probability to offend. According to
Maree (2018:82), risk factors are conditions that increases a child or adolescent’s
likelihood to develop behavioural problems later in life. The author further identifies
different levels or categories of risk, which include minimal risk, remote risk, high risk,
imminent risk. and at risk.
Status offences
According to Goldson (2012:np) status offences refer to offences that can only be
committed by individuals of a certain status or with certain characteristics. In the justice
context, this refers to offences that can only be committed under a certain age (i.e.
offences committed by youth such as underaged drinking).
