Recent insights from leading experts are shaking up long-held assumptions about the roots of youth delinquency, emphasizing that parental influence—while crucial—is not the sole factor determining whether children turn to crime. At a parent support meeting hosted by the Ammar Empowerment Network, a management professor from the University of the West Indies argued that society is too quick to blame parents for their children’s misdeeds, overlooking the complex interplay of environment, peer influence, and broader social context (“Parents ‘not always at fault’”, Nation News, July 2025).
For generations, society has placed immense pressure on parents, especially mothers, to shoulder the blame when adolescents engage in criminal behavior. This narrative persists in Thailand as well, where rapid urbanization, academic stress, and exposure to global youth culture intensify the challenges for families. However, the most recent research, mirrored by global and Thai data alike, suggests that this parent-centric perspective on crime prevention is oversimplified and potentially counterproductive.
The management professor explained: “Even in households where parents provide consistent support and instill strong values, children can still find themselves drawn into crime. Society tends to make blanket judgments, but often these parents are doing everything possible. We must ask: what’s the missing variable?” He urged Thai and international parents alike to recognize the growing influence of peer pressure, social media, and local environments in shaping young people’s decisions, particularly as children enter puberty. At this stage, parental sway often diminishes, replaced by the rising impact of friends, school culture, and community dynamics (Bangkok Post, 2024).
Evidence from Thailand and abroad consistently points to a web of factors contributing to juvenile delinquency. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) highlights the importance of holistic approaches that reach beyond the family unit to address issues such as poverty, violence in the community, and access to meaningful extracurricular activities (UNICEF Thailand Report, 2025). Recent policy changes in Thailand—such as the prohibition of all forms of corporal punishment—emphasize the state’s shift toward more supportive, rights-based interventions (End Corporal Punishment, 2025).
International research supports this broader viewpoint. Studies published on PubMed detail the links between parenting stress in high-risk environments and children’s behavioral outcomes, but also highlight the role of external social pressures (PubMed: Maternal parenting stress, 2025). Wikipedia summarizes scholarly consensus, noting, “Many delinquent acts can be attributed to environmental factors such as family behavior or peer influence. One contributing factor that has gained attention in recent years is the school-to-prison pipeline,” pointing to the danger of exclusionary school policies that may inadvertently fuel youth crime (Wikipedia: Causes of youth crime).
Peer influence, in particular, has surfaced as a powerful driver of youth behavior in the Thai context. A 2024 report in Khaosod English quotes Thai crime prevention specialists who identify peer pressure and social acceptance as “critical enablers” of delinquency—sometimes overpowering parental guidance, especially in closely-knit social groups (Khaosod English, 2024). Academic surveys also reveal that the most violent behaviors among Thai high school students are predicted by their social environments and the prevalence of violence among peers (ScienceDirect).
Given these complexities, a strictly punitive response to parents whose children commit crimes may backfire, closing off avenues for constructive intervention. Instead, experts and Thai authorities increasingly advocate for community-based solutions. These approaches include after-school programs, neighborhood watch schemes, and collaborative efforts between local government, schools, and family networks. Such policies resonate with traditional Thai concepts of communal responsibility—known as “khit pen klum”—which encourage neighborhoods to act as extended families, collectively watching over children.
The management professor at the center of this latest debate does not exonerate parents from responsibility, but insists on a more nuanced understanding. He offers practical advice for effective parenting: “Show consistent love and emotional support, set clear boundaries, establish open communication, and create routines for connecting with your child. Know their friends and online activities, and encourage engagement with positive pursuits like sports, the arts, or faith-based groups.” These recommendations are echoed in evidence-based programs being piloted across Thailand (Chiang Mai University: Opportunities and Challenges, 2025).
But as Thai social workers and policy-makers stress, these efforts are most effective when combined with broader support systems. “Relying solely on parents to teach and rehabilitate their children is insufficient; strong legal intervention and systemic support are needed,” notes a 2024 editorial from the Bangkok Post (Bangkok Post). Indeed, Thailand’s formal child protection mechanisms—including the recent scaling up of family-strengthening initiatives and safer school environments—are helping shift the conversation away from blame and toward collaboration.
Importantly, the research does not minimize the impact of fractured or abusive homes. There remains strong evidence, in Thailand and worldwide, that children exposed to violence, neglect, or parental substance abuse face higher risks of behavioral problems. Yet, as social scientists caution, many children from stable homes also act out, while some from troubled backgrounds thrive through resilience and community support. This underscores the need for preventative policies that target all strata of society, not just high-profile cases.
Incorporating Thai cultural wisdom is also vital. Concepts such as “nam jai” (generosity of spirit) and community festivals reinforce civic participation and mutual care—key protective factors for youth. Banyat, a school counselor at a Bangkok secondary school, explains: “Family is still the first teacher, but village life, temple activities, and positive group influences matter. It is never just one thing that protects a child.”
Looking ahead, experts recommend stepping up preventive strategies in Thailand:
- Expand evidence-based parenting programs that blend emotional support with practical discipline.
- Foster strong school-family partnerships, including regular check-ins and communication with teachers.
- Build safe community spaces that draw youth into constructive activities and keep them off the streets.
- Continually update child protection laws and resources in line with international best practices (UNICEF Thailand).
- Train teachers, police, and social workers to detect warning signs early and intervene holistically.
The message for Thai parents is both sobering and empowering. While parental love, structure, and guidance remain foundational, there is growing recognition that addressing youth delinquency is a community and societal responsibility. Blame alone accomplishes little—but by working together, Thailand can ensure all children have the chance to thrive.
For families seeking help, experts recommend reaching out to local parent support groups, engaging actively with schools, and advocating for broader social change. The real solution, as the research shows, lies not in assigning blame but in building supportive, resilient networks around every child.
Sources:
- “Parents ‘not always at fault’” (Nation News, 2025)
- UNICEF Thailand Child Protection Report, 2025
- “Time to address juvenile crimes” (Bangkok Post, 2024)
- “Thailand prohibits all corporal punishment of children!” (2025)
- “Thai Youth Are More Violent Due To A Weak Society, Say Experts” (Khaosod English, 2024)
- “Violence among high school students in Thailand” (ScienceDirect)
- “Opportunities and Challenges of Scaling Up Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children in Thailand”, 2025
- Wikipedia: Causes of youth crime