Some opine that criminal tendencies are born and latent or genetically encoded, while others highlight environmental factors impinging on inchoate susceptible minds prodding them to the path of deviancy for quick gratification of senses/ desires. As is known, at any point of time the environmental factors can outweigh the genetic factors owing to their temporary dynamic nature and play a pivotal role in shaping the future personality of the children. Therefore, the current study is designed: 1) to explore the socio-economic dynamics (e.g. family, peer, neighbourhood, working status, income and socio-economic status of the family); and 2) to propose a causal model of juvenile delinquency based on the identified socio-economic risk factors. During the period of conducting the study for the purpose of collection of empirical facts a sum total of 116 juvenile delinquents present in the four Govt. run Observation and Special Homes (O&SHs) in Odisha, a state of India were taken into the ambit. Quantitative information about the socio-economic variables were collected from the available office records at O&SHs. To corroborate the recorded facts and to obtain other relevant information on socio-economic dynamics, as a corollary, interview was conducted separately with each juvenile delinquent. Both quantitative and qualitative data were matched and analysed to assess the factors engendering delinquency among children. Results reveal that large family size, lack of parental monitoring, supervision and control, residing in a poor disorganised neighbourhood, bad peer influence, pressure and acute poverty etc. lead the impressionable young reminds to the path of deviancy.

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