vol. 10, issue no. 3 march 2017 hebron, kumbanad, kerala...

renewing and enriching life

President

Founder / President

India Bible College and Seminary

Date of Publication : 20/03/2017REVIVE (ENGLISH) MARCH 2017News paper Reg. No. KERENG/2007/22479

Printed, published and owned by Major V.I. Lukose (Retired), published from P.O. Box 31, Hebron, Kumbanad, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India and Printed at Viani Printings, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. Editor: Pastor Dr. John K. Mathew

Price 12

Vol. 10, Issue No. 3 March 2017 Hebron, Kumbanad, Kerala www.revivemegod.org

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Rev. Dr. T. Valson AbrahamPresident

Pastor T. S. Abraham

President Emeritus

M.Th (COUNSELING) 2 Yrs. Qualification : BD (Serampore) or M.Div (A.T.A and Non - A.T.A )

M. A. in HOLISTIC CHILD DEVELOPMENT 2 Yrs. Qualification : BTh. (Serampore / A.T.A / Non - A.T.A )

MASTER OF DIVINITY (M.Div)* Three year Program for secular degree holders.Two years for (ATA) B.Th degree holder with B grade.

BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY (B.Th)* Three year English medium program for pre-degree holders, +2 or the equivalent.

DIPLOMA IN THEOLOGY (Dip.Th)* Three year program in malayalam for those with S.S.L.C pass certificate or the equivalent.

Dip. Th (2years) English Medium*Qualification: 10th pass or it’s equivalent

CERTIFICATE IN THEOLOGY (C.Th) One year program in Malayalam.

EXTENSION PROGRAM Three year correspondence program offering B.Th (English) and Dip. Th (Malayalam).

EVENING CLASSES This training is in 10 week modules offered three terms a year leading to a Certificate in Biblical Studies for lay persons.

For more details contactDirector, India Bible College & Seminary Hebron, Kumbanad, Kerala - 689 547Tel : 94476 08954, 0469 2664075, 2665855 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]@gmail.com www.ibc.ac.in

* P R O G R A M S A C C R E D I T E D B Y A T A

Committed to Christ’s Great Commandments and Great Commission

All courses offered are for Men and Women

Late Pastor K. E. Abraham Founder

INDIA BIBLE COLLEGE & SEMINARYOver 14000 leaders trained and sent in the past 86 years to proclaim Christ and plant churches

CAMPUS, KUMBANAD & CAMPUS, KOZHIMALAHEBRON IGO

ATA & COLLEGE COURSES

B.D (Integrated) 5 Yrs.Qualification : Plus two passed or the equivalent

B.D. (Regular) 4 Yrs.Qualification : Bachelor degree from any recognised university

For more details contactThe Principal, India Bible College & Seminary IGO Campus, Kozhimala, Kerala - 689 541Tel : 99952 46682, 0469 2657776 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] www.ibc.ac.in

SENATE OF SERAMPORE COURSES

Pastor Saju Joseph

Director

Dr. John Alex Principal

beam

desi

gns2

dio.

com

Our children are our first mission field.We live in a turbulent world inhabited by troubled youth and children, alienated from their families and society. Apart from a dramatic intervention by God, we face a troubled future because these troubled youth grow up. Soon, they become parents themselves. They take places in seats of government, business, education, the arts, media and communication. How we raise our children today influences our society for generations to come for good or for bad.Our troubled generation today did not “just happen.” Two thousand years ago,

OUR FIRST MISSION FIELD

Vol. 09, Issue No. 3, March 2016


District pastor Rev. Dr. T. Valson Abraham gives the inaugural message

INDIa pENTEcOSTaL chURch OF gODkUMbaNaD cENTRE cONvENTION 2017 january 4 - 8

renewing and enriching l i fePart - 1 2

the apostle Paul identified a major cause for an alienated generation when he wrote, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).Too many parents stimulate angry and rebellious spirits in their children when they resort to harsh discipline or fail to discipline them at all. Such extremes never work. What is needed is right discipline. What does that mean?The key to right discipline is for parents to first discipline themselves, to submit themselves to their heavenly Father. Parents submitted to God know their children are not their personal possessions to treat as they please, but gifts of God. Parents are not to use children for their own purposes and ambitions, but to patiently help them to develop the unique personalities God gave them.Parents must not impose their own personalities upon their children but guide them in those biblical principles that enable each child to develop in his/her own way.Like us, our children are born in sin. We depend upon God’s mercy and grace in our own lives when we fail, and we should let our children know it. We must treat our own children’s shortcomings with mercy and grace so they will think immediately of God and His grace and how He helped their parents in times of weakness. Discipline is necessary, but to humiliate a child for failure or inflict physical, verbal or emotional abuse have no place in a Christian home.Paul tells us to raise our children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This means they should not just learn “to be good” in conventional ways, but to make Jesus Christ Himself their standard. Just as Jesus exhorted and encouraged His disciples in ways beyond common morality, parents should do the same for their children.

It takes much time and effort to do this. Parents must learn to sacrifice their own interests to bring their children into emotional and spiritual maturity by instruction and example based upon the Word of God, not what they read in magazines and see on television or the internet. Fathers and mothers must spend less time at the office or other activities to accomplish this God-given mission. Their own children are always their first priority.In this training process, be positive. Do not be too quick to offer constant criticism, but rather keep alert to those times when children do something right, and be sure to praise them. Trying to force religion down your children’s throats or coerce a “decision for Christ” is never right. Pray for them, wait for the Lord’s timing, and do not force your own. Don’t let them learn or use pious words and phrases they cannot understand. Going to church, Sunday school and youth group are good, but even better, children should see in their parents consistent character, integrity, and kindness that win their respect and motivate them to become like their parents. They should see in their parents a worldview and lifestyle that sets them apart from parents of neighbors and friends who worship other gods or care nothing about God. They should understand from their parents that this difference comes because of God’s gospel of grace through Jesus Christ in their lives. Christian parents should prepare themselves to counter the false standards their children hear in the world outside the home with biblical truth. Children should hear regularly from their parents how Jesus has changed their lives, answered their prayers, and shown His faithfulness. Children should see in their parents the joy of the Lord, and know their parents pray for them every day. They should hear their parents regularly thank God for their blessings, at the dinner table and elsewhere. They should regularly gather together as a family to hear the Bible read and applied to their lives.

Children should see and hear their parents read and quote their Bibles and pray for those in need, not just as a routine habit, but as a vital part of their lives. They should hear their parents apply the scriptures to their lives, work, family and the world around them. They should see their parents take a vital interest in those who still live in darkness without the gospel.

Parents should live in such a way that their children know that Jesus Christ is head of the house. When children visit the homes of their friends, they should see the difference Jesus Christ makes so this will become the model for them when they raise their own families and exert influence upon others around them.

Yes, our children and grandchildren are our first mission field. If we have done our job right, our children will more likely become God’s effective ambassadors to their own children and a needy world around them. Father God, thank you for the gift of our children, made in your image. Help us to raise them in the discipline and instruction of your Son. Help us to raise them as you are raising us now, in your grace, mercy, wisdom and love, to glorify you, know your blessing and bear much fruit in your name, in their own homes and in your world. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Vol. 10, Issue No. 3, March 2017renewing and enriching l i fe

Part - 1 3

Pastor Sam Chelladurai, Senior pastor, Apostolic Fellowship Tabernacle, Chennai, brought a powerful word on the bleSSingS of god

Pastor Babu Cherian preached at the Sunday Service

Evang. Sam Kuzhikala

leads the singing Pastor T. A. Joseph, District Secretery

Pastor T. J. Abraham leads the service



Part - 1 4

Rev. Saju JosephDirector, India Bible College

and Seminary, Kumbanad

While the terms ‘youth ministry’ or ‘children’s ministry’ are not specifically mentioned in Scripture, perhaps the most relevant verse to troubled youth was penned by Paul in I Corinthians 4:15, “Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel” (NIV). Just as it was clear that the Corinthians had a bigger need for a father than another teacher, so also do troubled kids today. This verse lays the groundwork for a basic paradigm of effective ministry to juvenile offenders.

In some ways kids today are not any different than they have ever been. They’ve always had the same basic needs. Yet in another way, because so many kids have not had their basic, God-given needs met, the profile of the average kid has changed dramatically over the past few years.

An old Chinese proverb says, "One generation plants the trees, and another gets the shade." You and I are still benefiting from the shade provided by trees planted by our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. We are shaded, to some degree, by their moral standards and spiritual commitment.

Proverbs 23: 24 says, "The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who sires a wise son will be glad in him." But how is it that in spite of God's design for children to bring joy, happiness, contentment, satisfaction, and love to their parents, they so often become heartbroken instead ? Marriages and families that ought to be filled with peace, joy, and contentment are more often characterized by conflict, intimidation, and estrangement. Homes tend to be war zones rather than havens. We are raising a generation of people exposed to an evil sun, unprotected by any kind of proper, God-ordained standard of living.

God calls all children to be obedient and respectful. Obedience is the act; honour is the attitude. Neither of them comes naturally, however. The Minnesota Crime Commission reports: "Every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish and self-centred. He wants what he wants when he wants it: his bottle, his mother's attention, his playmates’ toys, his uncle's watch, or whatever. Deny him these and he seethes with rage and aggressiveness which would be murderous were he not so helpless. He's dirty; he has no morals, no knowledge, no developed skills. This means that all children, not just certain children but all children, are born delinquent. If permitted to continue in their self-centered world of infancy, given free rein to their impulsive actions to satisfy each want, every child would grow up a criminal, a thief, a killer, a rapist."

A RebelliouS child must be taught

that God’s plan is for the parents to lead and the

child to follow. There can be no weakness

on this point.

BiBlical PersPectives on Juvenile issues



Part - 1 5

Scripture teaches that children develop in four areas. Luke 2:54 tells us Jesus grew in wisdom (mentally), stature (physically), favour with God (spiritually), and favour with mankind (socially). When children enter this world, they are undeveloped in these areas. They have to be taught to obey simply because it is right to do so.

Genes play a major role in the development of both our bodies and our minds. The evolving field of behavioural genetics is gradually elucidating the complex interplay between genes and environment that contributes to the behavioural differences between individuals. One area of behavioural genetics that has attracted a great deal of attention is the exploration of the roots of violent behaviour. Researchers hope someday to have the ability to detect accurately persons at high risk of violence and to develop effective “anti-violence” interventions for use with this population.

Although such innovative technologies appear to be beyond our reach today, the societal implications of behavioral genetics research may require our consideration much sooner that might be thought. In fact, behavioral genetics may be the next frontier for the world of criminal justice. The scientific data that suggest that the inclination to evil may be embedded - at least in part- in our genes provide a new context for an old ethical and legal question regarding

criminal responsibility and punishment: if the inclination to violent behavior is inherent in someone's nature, how should it affect punishment for crime? Should it be considered a mitigating factor that lessens the degree of punishment, or should it serve as an aggravating factor justifying a more severe sanction?

In this article we address this question from a Biblical perspective, relying primarily but not exclusively on the classical rabbinic commentators. We suggest that although the context of behavioural genetics is relatively new, the question pertaining to the relationship between the inclination to evil and the punishment of crime is not. The issue is addressed in the Old Testament and discussed by its commentators; their insights may enrich the contemporary discussion of this question.

One of the earliest systematized moral codes can be found in the Old Testament. The Hebrew Bible's moral philosophy cannot be reduced to a single moral theory as, for example, both deontological and utilitarian voices can be found in it. Similarly, since the Bible presents various justifications for punishment (such as deterrence, revenge, rehabilitation, etc.) in different cases, it would be inaccurate to ascribe to its authors a univocal theory of punishment. In fact, the multidimensional character of the Bible with regard to morality has preserved its capacity to serve as an inspirational source of reference for proponents of a range of moral views.

The context in which the Bible refers to the question of the propensity to evil and punishment is woven in the story about Noah. After the flood, the Bible suggests God's less-than-favourable opinion regarding human nature: “the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21). The Bible ascribes to God the notion that humans are inherently evil from a very early stage of development. This Biblical notion was shared by some more recent scholars, albeit on varying theoretical grounds, such as Thomas Hobbes and Sigmund Freud. Hobbes developed a political theory based on the assumption that human nature is evil and hostile, while Freud's psychological theory–and its cultural ramifications–are rooted in the contention that infant behaviour derives, in part, from innate aggression.

How early can one find the manifestations of this wickedness in a child? According to early Christian and Jewish traditions (200-450 AD), badness is attributed to a man even in infancy. Saint Augustine believed that “there is none free from sin, not even the infant who has lived but a day upon this earth... the infant's innocence lies in the weakness of his body and not in the infant mind...I have myself observed a baby to be jealous, though it could not speak; it was livid as it watched another infant at the breast”. Jewish scholars at that time also shared the notion that badness is embedded in man since the time he “awakens” to the world.

NEW TESTAmENT PERSPECTiVESRecently a growing number of Christians have actively promoted the concept of

"restorative justice" and attempted to develop programs for dealing with crime based on restorative principles. But is this approach truly consistent with the teaching of Scripture? To date, very little has been done to test this claim. Beyond Retribution fills a gap by plumbing the New Testament on the topics of crime, justice, and punishment.

Continued on page 7

New TeSTAmeNT

or Christian approach towards the juvenile issues would be two fold. one is envisaging the possibilities

of quality parenting and mentoring of children. The church has to take

deliberate effort in both training the children as

well as parents.



Part - 1 6

Shaleena elza FinnyChildhood is of stuff dreams are made of. In our dreams, we float and fly, glide and dance, and nothing seems to be in the realm of the impossible. Everything is beautiful, innocent, and pure.

I dreamt of becoming a TVnews anchor and making it big on the small screen. On other days I dreamt of being a doctor with magic cures for the most incurable diseases. I also dreamt of becoming a police woman and a karate blackbelt. In a rare dream, I once saw myself as the headmistress of my school, giving a hard time to one of my teachers.

As I’ve grown, I’ve come to realize that quite contradictory to my childhood world of dreams and opportunities, exists a world of oppression and hopelessness, where children are unable to dream of the future because they are instead owned and mechanized for profit.

Across India, over 82 lakh children are daily forced to carry out labour that is far beyond their physical capacity. Trafficked into a variety of industries, children are forced to work for over 12 hours a day. Victims to neglect and abuse, they are prohibited from visiting their families, deprived of food and the sufficient care they require, and are preyed upon by physical and sexual tormentors.

As the young and vulnerable are exhausted and traumatized, the idea of work deviates from God’s original intention as an activity to joyfully nourish others and bring glory to God. As the sin of injustice corrupts the beautiful parts of God’s creation, an activity intended for communal good has become for some, a power struggle of hard labour for the profit of one individual.

However, amidst this brokenness in His original plan, God hears the cries of his people. He rescues and rectifies the inequities that foster these unjust relationships motivated by money and power, and restores provision to those who have been deprived.

Throughout scripture, God’s justice is displayed as a reordering of society. Those who are arrogant, wealthy, and exalted are humbled and cured of their attachments to prestige, power and wealth, while those who are excluded and downtrodden are affirmed, their value and honor recognized.

God’s attitude of justice is characterized by love, mercy, and grace, and the death of Jesus, a man free of sin, is a perfect representation of this. The weight of our sin, and God’s

child trafficking and BiBlical Justice

ACRoSS india, over 82

lakh children are daily forced to

carry out labour that is far beyond

their physical capacity.



Part - 1 7

inability to condone sin, means that we should have been separated from God for eternity. But God so desired to renew his creation and bring back justice to a broken world, that he gave his innocent and beloved son to sacrificially bear the enormous weight of sin, and take the punishment for our sins, enabling a path of reconciliation with God and hope for the world.

Christopher Marshall first explores the problems involved in applying ethical teachings from the New Testament to mainstream society. He then surveys the extent to which the New Testament addresses criminal justice issues, looking in particular at the concept of the justice of God in the teachings of Paul and Jesus. He also examines the topic of punishment, reviewing the debate in social thinking over the ethics and purpose of punishment -- including capital punishment -- and he advocates a new concept of "restorative punishment." The result of this engaging work is a biblically based challenge to imitate the way of Christ in dealing with both victims and offenders.

New Testament or Christian approach towards the juvenile issues would be two fold. One is envisaging the possibilities of quality parenting and mentoring of children. The church has to take deliberate effort in both training the children as well as parents. The parents should be given regular and periodical training in parenting for the different stages of growth of the child. Sunday Schools, V.B.S and children’s clubs must incorporate practical and realistic counseling programs for the children. The church must develop a strong monitoring system for the children so

that they may be given timely attention and counseling. It would help the children, up to an extent, to develop positive attitudes and character in them and delinquent tendencies will be minimized also.

The child who exhibits a rebellious streak may be doing so for a variety of reasons. Harsh, unloving, and critical parenting will nearly always result in rebellion of some sort. Even the most compliant child will rebel - inwardly or outwardly - against such treatment. Naturally, this type of parenting is to be avoided.

But no matter what style of parenting a family embraces, a child might rebel.Assuming that the rebellious child naturally possesses a strong-willed personality, he

will be characterized by an inclination to test limits, an overriding desire for control, and a commitment to resisting all authority. In other words, rebellion is his middle name. In addition, these strong-willed, rebellious children are often very intelligent and can “figure out” situations with amazing speed, finding ways to take control of the circumstances and people around them. These kids can be, for their parents, an extremely trying and exhausting challenge.

Fortunately, it is also true that God has made children who and what they are. He loves them, and He has not left parents without resources to meet the challenge. There are biblical principles that address dealing with the rebellious, strong-willed child with grace. First, Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not turn from it.” For all children, the way they should go is toward God. Teaching children in God’s Word is crucial for all children, who must understand who God is and how to best serve Him. With the strong-willed child, understanding what motivates him-the desire for control-will go a long way to helping him find his “way.” The rebellious child is one who must understand that he is not in charge of the world-God is-and that he simply must do things God’s way. This requires parents to be absolutely convinced of this truth and to live accordingly. A parent who himself in rebellion against God will not be able to convince his or her child to be submissive.

Once it has been established that God is the one making the rules, parents must establish in the child’s mind that they are God’s instruments and will do anything and everything necessary to carry out God’s plan for their families. A rebellious child must be taught that God’s plan is for the parents to lead and the child to follow. There can be no weakness on this point. The strong-willed child can spot indecisiveness a mile away and will jump at the opportunity to fill the leadership vacuum and take control. The principle of submitting to authority is crucial for the strong-willed child. If submission is not learned in childhood, the future will be characterized by conflicts with all authority, including employers, police, law courts, and military leaders. Romans 13:1-5 is clear that the authorities over us are established by God, and we are to submit to them. May God help the church and the parents to teach the delinquent children this truth.

Not all of us have the ability, the training or the high rank to make decis ions or change laws so that they protect the poor. Sometimes, all we have is a voice to plead with. Though we ourselves might not have the power to make sweeping changes in our society, we have access to the most almighty ‘power actor’ of all: our Father in Heaven, who loves to listen to the cries of our hearts.

As humans made in God’s image, His likeness is mirrored in both our existence and behaviour. We are ful ly human inasmuch as we are justly sustaining and stewarding the beauty and goodness that God intended for and created in the world.

Our responsibility, therefore, as Christians, is to become aware of injustice, and plead with God on behalf of those who are oppressed. To steward His creation by asking that He, in His infinite power, would work in the hearts and minds of perpetrators and law enforcement officials. This pleading is incredibly powerful, because no one is greater than our God, who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).

By inventing the phenomenon of human prayer, God has decided to allow our asking to make a difference in the events of the world, and invites us to join his mission in securing justice for the oppressed. With this invitation, we can imagine the end of trafficking for labour, and dream of alleviating the profound hurting of God’s children.

BiBlical PersPectives on Juvenile issuesContinued from page 5



Part - 1 8

Vivyn mathewFaculty, India Bible College

and Seminary, Kumbanad

The woRd delinquency is comes from the latin word

“delinquere” meaning “die away” and

'linquere' means 'to leave' or

'to abandon'.

Juvenile delinquency: nature, causes and

interventionsin recent years, reports of children involved in heinous crime is gaining much pubic attention. This has made the legal term “juvenile delinquency” more familiar to people. Though it is an important subject in the study of criminology and law, it is now studied by various disciplines and people who are engaged in working with children. Of late, there is desire arising for a factual estimation of the problem to help prevent such eventualities. Criminal behavior is taking serious forms among the children. It is a global phenomenon, a sign of sick society.The National Crime Records Bureau's data shows that in the past decade, the rate of juvenile offences has steadily increased. In 2004, the rate for juvenile crime was 1.77 incidents per lakh of population. It had risen to 2.58 by 2013.This malady is growing in alarming proportions and is awakening call that our Children needs much attention and care.

'Juvenile' is a child who cannot be held responsible for his criminal act. The word delinquency is comes from the Latin word “delinquere” meaning “die away” and 'linquere' means 'to leave' or 'to abandon'. Juvenile Delinquency is an act or a behavior by a child that is considered socially undesirable up to a level of breaking the law of the country. It can also be seen as a purposeful defiance of children to perform behaviour as expected of them by the society.

The age criteria for being a juvenile vary internationally. In India , Juvenile Justice Act, 1986 defined juvenile or child, who in case of a boy not above the age of 16 years and in case of a girl 18 years of age. This was amended with Juvenile Justice Act 2000 , that cited distinction of age between male and female juveniles needs to be done away, and the age of juvenile was made till 18 years to hold on to international obligations. In the recent amendment of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2015, enforceable from January 15 2016, permits children aged 16 to 18 years in conflict with law can be tried as adults in cases of heinous Offences.

A lARGER PROBlEmJuvenile delinquents or children in conflict with law are only a small visible part of a

larger problem. Children in conflict with law, who by virtue of the acts they commit, need custody of the legal process. The children in legal custody are a few representations of deviant antisocial behaviour when compared with the large majority of children in society exhibiting conduct problems. Understanding juvenile delinquency asks for the understanding of the nature of prevalence and manifestation of such child hood conduct problems or disorders. This refers to an array of child, parent, family, contextual environmental conditions and interplay among them.

Conduct disorders are a group of behavioral problems. They are commonly seen as a prolonged pattern of anti-social and aggressive behaviors that are either performed against others or activities done in defiance to major societal norms, or both. Apart from these core behaviors children with conduct problems may also display related issues like troubled Mood, withdrawn behaviors, impulsive violent behaviors towards animals or others, exhibiting high risk behaviors of using substance, etc. Many of the children may have academic deficiencies, specific reading disorders, language delays, learning disability, problems in information processing and difficulties in problem solving



Part - 1 9

skills. This can result in poor interpersonal relationships with others.

The argument whether it is heredity or is it the environment that is responsible for the causation of delinquency is valid. To understand criminal behavior in children Sociologists, Psychologists, Physicians, Philosophers, Lawmen and common men have come out many theories and explanations. Each theorist explains delinquency from the view point of their discipline. They try to explain that, problems in conduct and criminal behaviours are related to each other, and one cannot not understand it without knowing the other. Various sources have come out with many views, opinions, criticisms, and proposition about the causes of delinquency and crime, but these views still remains unconnected with each other. However, most explanations recognizes that delinquency and crime cannot be explained in terms of a single causative factor. These are problems stemming out due to interaction between the multiple factors.Some of the most valid explanation on causation are as follows.Examination of the records and history of children in institutional care because of delinquency clearly shows the involvement of multiple causative factors. In most of the cases faulty child development, poor economic conditions and unhealthy family atmosphere were found to be underlying factors.

own ways of molding individuals. The behavior and personality of children gradually evolves in conformity to their particular family patterns. Children easily imbibe every thing the family stands for. The belief systems, value systems, thinking patterns, adjustment patterns and all impact children to great extent. The standards that the elders set while maintaining interaction within the family and also with the outside world to fulfill their needs and of the family plays a big role in child's adjustment and functioning in the outside world. Criminal tendencies can pass on to children either genetically or by finding their parents or family members behaving or having an attitude that encourages deviant behaviors.

Certain situations within the family puts children in increased risk of exposure to deviance and crime. Children live in families with difficult circumstances due to death, divorce, or desertion of parent. They live and grow in broken families, single parent families, families that are headed by children or grandparents or distant relatives. These circumstances make them vulnerable to face or even become an easy victim to criminality. Parental ignorance about effective parenting or dysfunction in families can lead to lack parental control or too much of control over children paving way for deviant behaviour in children. Substance and drug use in family, psychiatric illness, marital discord, child abuse, neglect, poor parenting, frequent quarrels among parents, unreasonable dominance of one over the other, frequent births in the family, immoral lives in parents, poverty and deprivation, low income or parent’s long absence from home can add on to the danger of children being exposed to deviant behavior and crime.

Environment molds the children as they grow by providing space and support. The interaction with the community creates social norms and structural conditions that the children utilizes for their growth. Delinquent behaviors, like most social behaviors, are learned in the process of social interaction. It is the result of this interaction between the their immediate surroundings and economic factors that determines the child’s behavior. Most of the adult criminals committed first offence in their childhood, long before their first conviction as adult offender. Their status of being a child then helped them to escape from their first offence. It might have encouraged them to commit further offence till they were apprehended, tried and convicted.

Around the world many children are growing in difficult circumstances such as hopeless poverty, broken and chaotic homes, slums, in the midst of choking pollution, facing abuses, lack of security giving rise to a constant need to either defend and fight .

JuVeNile elinquents or children in conflict with law are only a small visible part of a

larger problem. Children in conflict with law, who by virtue of the acts they commit, need custody of

the legal process.

Individual factors mainly seen as causative factors are physical illness, sub-normal intelligence, bad company, adolescent instability and impulses, early sex experiences, alcohol and drug intoxication, mental conflicts, excessive social suggestibility and impressionability, Peer Pressure, love of adventure and sensation, rising standards of living and aspirations for the same, nonattendance of school, school dissatisfaction, poor recreation, increase of leisure time, street life and vocational dissatisfaction. Genetic loading and abnormalities due biochemical imbalance, and metabolites are also considered as potential causative factors . These factors can lead the adolescent to aggression, rebelliousness, bitterness, distrustful, Obstinate, unconventional and non submissive behaviors to authority and even criminal acts. These problem behaviors are highly related to prevalence of delinquency. If these risk factors are appears earlier, there is also a higher risk for delinquency. Hyperactivity seen in children is also implicated with the onset of conduct problems.

Conduct problems forms a major reason for referral for psychiatric evaluation of children and adolescents. Conduct issues peaks in early adolescence. In adolescence, boys exhibit more aggression, and girls tend to exhibit more covert crimes.

Family plays a very important part in developing deviant behavior in children. It is families that greatly influence persons, because the basic sense of belonging is attached with the family. All families have different interaction patterns within themselves and so have their



Part - 1 10

On the other end.,in contrast to this, there is fortunate children with better clothes, food, entertainment facilities, and may have economic independence. Even though there is a large gap in terms of reality between these two group of children, a good role model who can mentor them is very rare for children in both these circumstances in present day situations. They are surging forward by creating their own meaning in a world .They see violence as a state policy is Justified by elders and also by governments, creating neighborhoods of displaced people, refugees, filled with bloodshed, strife, orphaned children and families, persons with disabilities. They are growing up with a deep to master the present times where ethics, values and ideals are altered. Well-being is measured in the ability to meet immediate gratification of needs, power over others, mindless indulgence of pleasure and magnified visibility in the virtual world.

Juvenile delinquency is attributed to environmental conditions of weakening human relations, using children to do wrong things by luring or by threatening them, wrong influence of mass and social Media, social change

larger monetary, social, emotional losses. Early intervention can also bring vulnerable children to safe environments with effective care giving. Protective reach out and and care from helping professionals can help in reduction of adverse eventualities of violence. This will help to minimize burden on family and caregivers as simple remediation approach can be undertaken. Uninformed and ill-conceived treatments do more harm than good.

There is no single best treatment approach. Treatment approaches needs to be tailor made according to the problems of the juvenile. The best evaluated treatment or counseling approaches for the conduct disorders are based on learning principles. It encourages relearning correct behaviors by removing the present faulty behaviors patterns. Establishing clear behavioral goals, facing consequences for inappropriate behavior, consistent monitoring through encouragement and demand to perform the desired behavior, correcting through methods like prompting, modeling and role playing etc can bring in desired behaviour in children.

Interventions like Medication, Psychotherapy, Play therapy and task based approaches are used effectively. Increasing friendly interactions between parents and children through promotion of play, using appropriate praise and incentives together with effective limit-setting, and using of positive responses can improve situation. These approaches can enhance care givers to guide responses to tackle interpersonal situation, amend cognitive problem-solving skills, correct deficiencies in thought processes and help the child to achieve pro-social behaviors. Problem-solving skills can be increasingly applied into real-life situations where children can be taught to direct their attention to aspects of the problem and not to project aggression on others. Active participation of the therapist or a counselor can bring out positive outcome to help the child. Apt interventions will to heighten the positive growth factors such as improved IQ, easy temperament, ability to relate well to others, good work habits, areas of competence outside school, good interpersonal relation at least with one parent or adult.

The symptoms or disorders in children talk volumes about the conditions at home, particularly the unspoken neglected wants and needs of the family. Parents of children with deviant behavior need help. The symptoms or problems in children mostly brings parents together. Family therapy is advocated in most cases. It is useful in increasing better interaction patterns by improving communications between parent to child and parent to parent. It will help in lowering blaming and negative attributions, and increase mutual support between each other. Family therapy will also help to better problem solving, helping family members to come closer to resolve crisis, foster better care between each other, and thereby help the family members as a system to decrease vulnerability to delinquency.

Interventions are also needed for care givers in institution and school teachers, police officers, community members and others involved in dealing with children.Training is needed in identification of deviant children, ensuring safety and harm reduction. Training is also needed on techniques in altering child behavior, contingency management, skills training, ethical handling. Upholding the rights of the children are to be advocated.

Church has a big role in preventing delinquency and helping vulnerable children. The ability and scope of church in intervening for the children is unmatchable and is the need of the hour. Local congregations can raise to the occasion in their own localities to pronounce care and protection of children with delinquency and also to the children living in difficult circumstances. Activities to identify vulnerable children and their families, coordinate activities for prevention delinquency and abuse can be undertaken. Providing personalized care and support to children and their families, conduct sensitization programs to prevent, remediate and to ensure inclusion and participation of everyone in the community to make it resilient to delinquency can be worked out.

CONCluSiONChildren are our greatest asset and resource. Children should be allowed and provided

best opportunity to grow. Children who are physically fit, mentally alert and morally healthy, endowed with skills and activation will transform societies. Equal opportunities for development to all children during the period of growth should be provided for reducing inequality and ensuring social justice, which in turn would serve as an effective tool to curb delinquency in juveniles.

FAmily plays a very important

part in developing deviant behavior in children. it is families that greatly

influence persons, because the basic sense of belonging is attached with

the family.

due to social disorganization and cultural conflict, neighborhood with crimes of various nature, displacement due to war or calamities, migration of families with children in search of livelihood in thickly inhabited areas. Towns and cities that offer frequent opportunities for various Offences and crimes relating to theft, burglary, Kidnapping, cheating, deceit etc.

iNTERVENTiONSThe study on the nature and cause of

Juvenile delinquency is meaningful when we devise suitable methods of intervention. The wideness of the spread of factors influencing and causing delinquency demands diverse strategies and approaches. The first priority will be to prevent children turning delinquent and subsequently help children, their families and care givers, as they are struggling to come out of this difficult problem. This requires action in the personal, familial/care giving and environmental domains.

Even though the magnitude and impact of the issue is frightening, there are effective strategies, action plans and treatment methods that is proven helpful. Preventive measures and wide ranging, treatment or curative measures for helping the children are presented.

Identifying the deviant behaviour and initiating interventions at the earliest will help children and families. If the nature of behavioral patterns and its progressive course are recognized early then early interventions can be implemented. Effective psychological evaluation and assessments available to understand the psychological makeup of children. This will minimize occurrence of serious behavioral problems or criminal acts. The treatment in the earlier phase can prevent

vol. 10, issue no. 3 march 2017 hebron, kumbanad, kerala...

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