BROKEN HOMES AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN AKUNGBA AKOKO, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Broken homes and Juvenile Delinquency are rising concerns in Nigeria. Broken homes have become an increasing social challenge in Nigeria, threatening the family’s role as the primary agent of socialization. This study examined relationship between broken homes and juvenile delinquency in Akungba Akoko, Ondo State. The research adopted a survey research design, and a total of 120 respondents were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests at a 0.05 level of significance. The objectives were to identify the factors responsible for broken homes, examine the effects of broken homes on juvenile delinquency, and explore the reasons juveniles engage in delinquent behavior. The findings revealed that financial instability, lack of communication, infidelity, domestic violence, substance abuse, and extended family interference are the major causes of broken homes in the study area, with economic hardship and unemployment ranked as the most significant contributors. Results further indicated that children from broken homes are more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors such as truancy, substance use, and association with delinquent peers. Peer pressure, economic hardship, poor parental guidance, and drug abuse were identified as the leading reasons why juveniles engage in delinquent acts. The hypothesis testing confirmed that children from broken homes are significantly more likely to engage in juvenile delinquency than those from stable families (χ² = 41.273, p = .000). In addition, the results showed a significant relationship between inadequate parental supervision and juvenile delinquency (χ² = 36.847, p = .000). These results imply that family instability and lack of parental control remain critical drivers of juvenile delinquency in Akungba Akoko. The study concludes that strengthening family bonds, improving economic stability, and enhancing parental supervision are vital to curbing juvenile crime in the community.