Relationship between MDA and juvenile crime and its impact on socioeconomic development – a theoretical framework for business and economics
ISSN: 1746-5680
Article publication date: 25 June 2020
Issue publication date: 24 September 2021
Abstract
Purpose
A minimum dropout age (MDA) requires potential dropouts to stay in school until graduation. Most countries have an MDA at least 16. An MDA greater than 16 requires potential dropouts to stay in school for at least one more year, which immediately reduces their available time and opportunities to commit a crime in the community. This study aims to examine how a higher MDA reduces crime in the community. The authors then show a higher MDA helps potential dropouts to become an entrepreneur.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors develop an economic model of crime that shows how an MDA greater than 16 affects contemporaneous juvenile crime in the community. Considering an MDA of 16 as a benchmark MDA, a hypothetical example with simulated data on the USA is used. The authors then show how a higher MDA offers a financial opportunity for the professional development programs.
Findings
An MDA greater than 16 reduces crime in the community. Reducing crime allows preventing social and monetary cost on juvenile delinquency. This economic efficiency offers a financial ability for adolescent training and other development programs and thereby reduces unemployment and other adverse consequences of the society.
Originality/value
Unlike previous studies, the authors develop an economic model of crime that shows a hypothetical relationship between an MDA and contemporaneous juvenile crime in the community. A higher MDA allows more financial ability for juvenile development programs in high school to improve the entrepreneurial skills.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Virgina Wilcox, Jeremy Groves, and Maria Ponomareva for their consistent supports to develop the model. Special thanks to Anna A. Klis for her help with several references. The authors are also grateful to Gail Jacky, Manahari Adhikari, Jeff Gard, Ashley Bartelt, Carson Shoupe, and Justin Ness at the Northern Illinois University for their valuable time to discuss about the education system in the United States. We are also grateful to the editor and anonymous referees for their valuable comments to make it publishable. The views expressed in this paper should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of any member of state or government officials. This research was not externally funded, and we declare that no competing financial interests.
Citation
Forhad, M.A.R. and Alam, G.M. (2021), "Relationship between MDA and juvenile crime and its impact on socioeconomic development – a theoretical framework for business and economics", Society and Business Review, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 633-651. https://doi.org/10.1108/SBR-03-2020-0051
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited