Criminological Review of the Influence of the Social and Economic Environment on the Criminal Behavior of Teenagers in Cirebon City

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of social and economic environments on criminal behavior among adolescents in Cirebon City from criminological and legal perspectives. Juvenile delinquency is a social phenomenon influenced by various internal and external factors that can drive adolescents to commit acts violating legal and social norms. Social environmental factors—such as family conditions, peer associations, education levels, and the community environment—play a crucial role in shaping adolescent behavior. Furthermore, economic factors—including poverty, social inequality, and limited access to basic necessities—can also trigger criminal behavior among adolescents. This study employs a normative legal research method, utilizing statutory, conceptual, and case-based approaches. Data sources consist of primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials obtained through literature review. Data analysis is conducted using a descriptive-qualitative method, examining relevant legislation, criminological theories, legal doctrines, and scholarly literature regarding the causes of juvenile delinquency. The findings indicate a strong link between social and economic environments and the emergence of criminal behavior in adolescents. Dysfunctional families, weak parental supervision, negative peer influence, low education levels, and inadequate economic conditions can increase the risk of adolescent involvement in criminal activities. From a criminological perspective, these factors can be explained through differential association theory, social control theory, and social disorganization theory.