GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT Instability in marriage has led to the retardation of growth and progress of many families and children in our locality; it is also the cause of juvenile behaviour. Many factors have been found to be responsible for the situation by various schools of thought including Poor parental demographic, rejection, emotional hurt, cut-offs, alienation and anti-social conduct are likely to be responsible for juvenile delinquency. Consequently, this study therefore is on examination of the effects of marital instability on juvenile delinquency in Nigeria. The study adopted a theoretical approach with the use of secondary source of data collected from literature, journals, libraries, books and internet. Findings from the study reveal that marital instability can ensue due to unhealthy parental influence and lack of trust; that there is a relationship between juvenile delinquency and parental demographic characteristics. It indicates that juvenile delinquency is fast becoming a peculiar social problem, this is as a result of Low income/educational levels, poor parental supervision, poor family value-system and negative environmental influences were indicated to be mainly responsible for juvenile delinquency in Nigeria. The researchers recommended that Government, religious bodies and the society should make conscious efforts by formulating and implementing a formidable law guiding marriage and restricting undue parental interference and that to-be spouses should be properly oriented on the demands of a successful home before marriage. KEYWORDS: Marriage Instability, Juvenile Delinquency, Parental Demographic and Criminal Behaviour