Julia Kristia Deveza

MA 702: Research and Statistics

Youth Criminality: The Influence of Birth Order,

Family Dynamics and Social Conformity

INTRODUCTION

Over the years, youth criminality has undoubtedly become a

growing problem for societies across the globe. It is one of the critical

issues that researchers and policy makers’ battle with since failure to

provide the right nurturance and offensive grass root approaches to the

youth may intensify the threat to orderliness, continued peace and

development of the society.

Youth criminality is a serious challenge to the family, public safety,

and the lives of the young offenders themselves (Mantey & Dzetor, 2018).

In 2016, 1, 297 Filipino youth in conflict with the law were served by City

and Municipal Social and Development Offices in 15 regions and were

mostly charged with property-related crimes such as theft and use of

drugs and alcohol (Alhambra, 2016). For the purpose of this study, youth

involved to such act is defined as a minor between ages 11-17, who

behaves like an adult individual, thus can be held liable for criminal acts.

Researches in the field concluded that youth commitment to criminal

actions is generated by several factors and one of them is the influence of

birth order (Morales, Esparza & Kaur, 2017; Breining, Doyle, et.al, 2017).
 In this context, Alfred Adler (1964) as cited by Shulman, B.H. &

Mosak, H.H. (2011), defines birth order as the children’s perception of their

position and role. Supporting this theory, Shulman and Mosak (1977)

illustrate the psychological position of birth order, which refers to the role

the children adopt in their interactions with others. Although birth order is

not an absolute determinant, it is however an influence – it leaves an

imprint; it affects the personality (Adler, 1964). Birth order effects to

neuroticism, conscientiousness, self-concept, and self-control are also

moderated by other important variables (Gilmore, 2016) such as the

parents’ reaction. Parents tend to invest unevenly in their children

dependent to birth order (Bu & Sulloway, 2016). First-borns are more

supervised than the second-borns, which result the former to be high

achievers while the latter to more likely be disciplined and enter the

criminal justice (Morales, Esparza & Kaur, 2017; Breining, Doyle, et.al, 2017).

In other words, low criminal behavior is an effect of a high parental

control (Harris-Mckoy, 2013).

Family dynamics is one of the most important variables influencing

youth criminality. Circumstances and relationships among family members

offer consistent predictions with regard to criminal behavior (Cundiff,

2010). Petrosino, et. Al (2009) specified that a negative family

characteristic such as normalization of violence (Morales, Esparza & Kaur,

2017) is often studied as a risk factor for future criminal action. According
to psychodynamic theory whose basis is work of Sigmund Freud (1856-

1939), youth criminality is a result of unresolved internal conflict and

mental anguish. Some individuals, who suffered unhappy experiences,

abuse and mistreatment in childhood or had families who could not

provide proper love and care may possess unconscious feelings related to

fear, resentment and hatred that may be linked to criminal behavior

(Meena, 2016). Thus, institutions provide interventions to strengthen familial

processes to reduce criminal justice involvement and improve

neighborhood safety (Shapiro, Meyers, & Toner, 2011).

Despite the impact of personal and family factors have in youth

criminality, social conformity is another potential risk factor. Patacchini

(2008) stated that conformity plays a vital role for all crimes, suggesting

that juvenile crime can be measured by the group interactions it

engenders. Next to family, peer groups are the smallest units of

interactions in society, which opens the potential to control the

individual’s action (Esiri 2016). Relative to this, adolescents select their

friends who have the same level of delinquency (Knecht, et, al. 2010).

Studies also conclude that youth become involved in criminal behavior

through association with people who are carriers of criminal norms and

that it is learned within their chosen peer groups (Esiri, 2016). Thus, youth

criminality is also a result of social influence.

 Nevertheless, these three constructs in line with youth criminality

have been rarely studied and connected, especially in the Philippine

context.

The research seeks to promote awareness and development on the

interventions and preventive programs of the Lipa City Government for

the youth in conflict with the law specifically the group association of

“Watot Gang”. This gang is consisted of minors coming from families with

no permanent residency, living only in public places near creeks and rivers

in Lipa. Certainly, this study will not be conducted to detract the current

practices of the government but rather recognize and subsidize the

plausible approaches to achieve a livable city.

This study aims to investigate the impact of birth order, family

dynamics and social conformity on the criminal behavior of the youth. The

researcher seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile variable of the respondents in terms of:

a. Birth Order

b. Gender

c. Educational Attainment

d. Family size

e. Relative/s living with

2. How does birth order contribute to youth criminality?

 3. How does family dynamics (e.g. parental control, parent-child

relationship, sex composition, sibling relationship quality, economic

status, and normalization of violence) relate to youth criminality?

4. How does social conformism behavior affects the respondents’

outcomes in crime?

The research is focused primarily on the effects of birth order, family

dynamics and social conformity on the criminal behavior of Watot Gang

members in Lipa City.

METHODS

Research Design

This study will use the qualitative type of research in assessing the

influence of birth order, family dynamics and social conformity to youth

criminality. Susan DeFranzo (2011) describes qualitative research as an

exploratory research to gain an understanding of underlying reasons,

opinions, motivations and insights into the life of each respondent.

Methods include individual interviews, participation and observations. This

will provide understanding of the circumstances that necessitated the

respondents’ involvement in criminal behavior.

Participants

This study will involve members of “Watot Gang”, a group of minors

committed to criminal behaviors, coming from families with no permanent

residency, living only in public places near creeks and rivers in Lipa.

Snowball sampling method shall be used to collect the primary data

sources since the study involves specific sample group that shall be

recruited via chain referral.

Research Instrument

The researcher will collect data through a narrative interview. A

psychologist shall validate semi-structured interview questions constructed

by the researcher. The interview will serve as a guide in describing and

interpreting the meanings of central themes in the life of each of the

respondents.

Questions shall correlate with the variables of the study.

Interview Question/Guide Variable

Anong buong pangalan mo?

Ilang taon ka na?
Ikaw ba ay kasalukuyang nag-aaral?
Sino kasama mo sa inyong Profile of respondents
pinagtitirhan?
Ilan kayo sa bahay/pamilya? Family Dynamics

Pang-ilan ka sa inyong Birth Order

magkakapatid?
Anong pinagkakabalahan ng iyong Family Dynamics
magulang at mga kapatid?
Anu-ano ang ginagawa niyo kapag
kayo ay magkakasama sa isang Birth Order & Family Dynamics
lugar? Meron ka bang papel na
ginagampanan sa inyong bahay?
Sa iyong palagay, sino sa kanila ang Birth Order and Family Dynamics
madali mong lapitan? Bakit?
Mas malapit ka ba sa iyong pamilya Family Dynamics & Social
kaysa sa mga kasama mo sa watot Conformity
gang?
Kelan ka pa sumali sa watot gang? Social Conformity

Anong kadahilanan ng pagsali mo sa Social Conformity

watot gang?
Pwede mo ba ilarawan ang sarili mo Social Conformity
kapag kasama mo mga miyembro ng
watot gang?
Anong layunin mo sa buhay? Birth order
Procedure

After having the questions validated by a psychologist, the

researcher will communicate with the concerned agencies to allow the

researcher to conduct the said study and interview personally the target

respondents. The researcher shall ask for referral from the respondents.

Ethical Considerations

All participants will be informed regarding the purpose of the study

and ensure that the data to be provided in the interview will be treated

with utmost confidentiality and the personal identity of the respondents

will not be disclosed in any part of the analysis. Only those respondents

who are willing to participate in the study will be interviewed.

References:

Alhambra, A.M. (2016). Children and the Minimum Age of Criminal

Responsibility (MACR): Why the MACR Should Not Be Lowered
Birth Order, Sibling Relationship Quality and the Normalization of Violence
on Adolescent Delinquency
Breining S., Doyle J. Jr., Figlio D., Karbownik K., Roth J. (2017). Birth Order
and Delinquency: Evidence from Denmark and Florida
Bu, F., Sulloway F.J. (2016). Birth Order and Parental Investment

Cundiff P.R. (2010). Ordered Delinquency: The Effects of Birth Order on

Delinquency

DeFranzo, S. (2011). Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative

 Research from https://www.snapsurveys.com/blog/qualitative-vs-
quantitative-research/

Esiri, M.O. (2016). The Influence of Peer Pressure on Criminal Behavior

Gilmore G. (2016). Understanding Birth Order: A Within-Family Analysis

of Birth Order Effects
Harris-Mckoy, D.E. (2013). Examining Parental Control, Parent-Adolescent
relationship, Delinquency, and Criminal Behavior
Knecht, A. Snijders, T.A.B., Baerveldt, C., Steglich, C.E.G., & Raub, W.
(2010). Friendship and Delinquency: Selection and Influence
Processes in Early Adolescence
Mantey, E.E. & Dzetor, G. (2018). Juvenile Delinquency: Evidence of
Challenges in Rehabilitation
Meena, T. (2016). Psychological Theories of Juvenile Delinquency – A
Criminological Perspective

Morales, D., Esparza, J., & Kaur, M. (2017). Briley Brothers: The Influence of

Patacchini E., & Zenou Y. (2008). Juvenile Delinquency and Conformism

Petrosino A., Derzon J., & Lavenberg J. (2009). The Role of the Family in
Crime and Delinquency: Evidence from Prior Quantitative Reviews

Shapiro C., Meyers, A, & Toner, C. (2011). Strength-Based, Family-Focused

Practice: A Clinical Guide from Family Justice

Shulman, B.H. & Mosak, H.H. (2011). Birth Order and Ordinal Position: Two
Adlerian Views