Abstract
Objective:
The primary objective of this research was to compare the family relationships and aggressive behaviors of children who have been encouraged for crime with children without such a history. In the frame of this primary aim, reasons leading children to commit a crime were determined.
Method:
The sample of the study consisted of children between ages 12-16 who live in Diyarbakır. The sample consisted of 100 children who were attending Diyarbakır 75th Year Social Services Youth Center; 50 of them had committed or were involved in a crime and the other 50 were not involved in such an event. 'Aggression Scale' and 'Family Evaluation Scale' were used in order to assess the aggressive behaviors and familial relationships of children in the study.
Results:
There was a significant difference in terms of aggressive behaviors and family relationships between children who have committed or were involved in a crime and those who have not. Those who have committed a crime scored higher on the 'Aggression Scale' compared to the other group and they also had more troublesome family relationships compared to the others.
Discussion:
Unless the reasons leading children to crime are revealed in a professional manner, the practices aiming to reunite these children back to the society and provide a healthy personality development can not be successful.
Keywords: Crime, agression, family relationships.
