INCOMPLETE FAMILY SETTING AND YOUTHFUL OFFENDING AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN AJAH, ETI-OSA L.G.A, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

The growing popularity of youthful offending has increased the interest in the family setting that shape youth behaviour. This study examines how incomplete family settings defined - as households where one or both biological parents are absent due to death or spouses’ ill-health, domestic violence, and other factors contribute to youthful offending. The study was based on Social Control Theory and Strain Theory, asked questions under three objectives – causes of incomplete family settings, the link between incomplete family setting and youthful offending and the consequences of youthful offending as a result of incomplete family setting. One hundred and twenty (120) of questionnaires were administered and collected among the respondents who were picked randomly from the study area. The studies showed that all the respondents 120 (100%) were recognized as adolescents living in Ajah, Eti-Osa, Lagos State from different family settings. The study revealed the link between incomplete family setting and youthful offending which include inadequate socialization, inadequate mentoring, poverty and employment etc. The study also examined the consequences of youthful offending as a result of incomplete family setting to be – legal penalties, school suspensions, repetition of offenses etc. Thus, the study recommended targeted interventions for single-parents and support systems in the community in mitigating the risk of youthful offending and promote positive youth development.