Delinquency and Violence among Juveniles in Botswana

This book examined the factors that influence young people to engage in juvenile violence and delinquency. Drawing primarily on Robert Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST), the study investigated how experiences of strain contribute to delinquent and violent behaviour among adolescents in Botswana. The application of GST was significant as it has not been previously tested within the context of Botswana, thereby addressing a notable gap in the existing literature. Prior research in Botswana indicates that many young people experience various forms of maltreatment, often originating within family environments where they may suffer physical abuse, neglect, and a lack of emotional support. Therefore, there was need to explore the relationship between adverse experiences (strains) and subsequent involvement in delinquency and violence. In addition to strain, the research also considered the influence of individual characteristics, other family background factors, and risk behaviours such as substance use. While GST provided the primary theoretical lens, supplementary explanations were drawn from masculinity, social learning, labelling, and control theories which offered a more comprehensive explanation of the study findings. The overarching aim was to identify and analyse the multifactorial determinants of juvenile delinquency and violence in Botswana.