The Impact of Sports on Delinquent Behavior Among Minority Youth
Introduction
Author: Nevaeh Gullette
Department: Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement (UIC)
Advisor: Dr. Joseph K. Hoereth, IPCE
Abstract: In the United States, many laws, for example, state juvenile transfer laws and Zero-tolerance school discipline laws, result in the prosecution and sanctioning of juveniles rather than rehabilitation. This, in turn, has contributed to higher juvenile delinquency rates of youth across the nation. Therefore, investing in sports and other restorative justice initiatives should be a priority to address juvenile delinquency rather than punishment. A rehabilitation approach has displayed major benefits in comparison to punitive measures by reducing drug dependence, lower dropout rates, and decreasing recidivism among youth. The goal of this research is to measure the impact of sports on youth behavior and determine whether it warrants a potential solution to juvenile delinquency. The methodology used for this research is a literature review of scholarly articles published from 2009 to 2024 on sports, crime prevention, and youth aged 10 to 18 years. These scholarly articles examine whether sports have a significant impact on crime prevention. Findings from these studies support that measuring crime prevention and youth through sports has shown that they encourage personal development for youth and provide crucial physical, emotional protection, and necessary safeguard against violence and drug dependence. The implication of this research highlights that sports should be invested in more as preventive measures against delinquency, as they provide a safe space for youth and encourage collaboration. The implementation of multi-year direct funding for sport-based youth development in marginalized communities helps develop preventative measures to address
delinquency. The state of Illinois has implemented the R3 Restore, Reinvest, Renew Grant program on June 25th 2019. The program looks to fund communities that have been harmed by violence, excessive incarceration and economic disinvestment. Grant programs like R3 provide funds to support violence prevention among youth. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) selects recipients of this funding which include community based nonprofit organizations, faith-based orgs and youth violence prevention organizations. This implementation of programs like R3 will encourage meaningful change in communities affected by violence and crime. Using funding to support youth-based sports initiatives will reap benefits and encourage social and peer relationships.
Keywords: Delinquency, Violence Prevention, Youth, Sports