The research entitled: Causes of criminal behavior of juvenile delinquents in Palmira; is based on the study of a current problem that threatens the normal development of young people between 16 and 20 years old. Different methods were used: Theoretical; inductive-deductive; analysis and synthesis; historical-logical.

Empirical; documentary review; survey and interview; mathematical methods that prove the existence of the phenomenon. Considering a sample of 25 young people from 16 to 20 years old, which represents 28.

7% of those who present criminal behavior. Taken from the juvenile universe that amounts to 572 young people.

It was conclusively proven that the causes that influence the increase in criminal behavior of juvenile delinquents are: dysfunctionality, poor family management, economic, social and labor situation, marginality, alcoholism, coexistence with inmates or former inmates, precocious sexuality, social lack of control, overcrowding conditions; the phenomenon is multi-causal. The bibliography used includes legal texts related to the subject and others of a sociological, psychological and political nature.

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