A boy who has not attained the age of 16 years and girl age of 18 years indulges in anti-social activity. This is known as

Appeared in: UPPSC 2017

Explanation

Juvenile Delinquency is the correct legal and sociological term for anti-social or criminal acts committed by a minor.
The question's specific age criteria for boys (under 16) and girls (under 18) directly align with the definition of a 'juvenile' under India's historical Children Act of 1960.
Therefore, a minor engaging in anti-social activity as described is classified as a juvenile delinquent.

Option A: This term describes a personality trait, such as shyness or a preference for solitude. It does not refer to the commission of illegal acts.
Option B: This refers to harm inflicted upon a child by an adult or another individual. The question describes an act committed by the child.
Option C: This is a general term for any group or gathering of people. It has no specific relevance to age, law, or anti-social behavior.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition and legal context of Juvenile Delinquency as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses, especially in community, school, and pediatric settings, play a vital role in identifying children at risk for delinquency by recognizing factors like neglect, abuse, or significant behavioral changes.
Understanding the concept of juvenile delinquency helps nurses advocate for a rehabilitative rather than punitive approach, providing counseling and support to the child and family.
What if? If the individual committing the anti-social act was 19 years old, they would be considered an adult offender. The case would be handled by the adult criminal justice system, and the legal consequences would be more severe, focusing on punishment rather than rehabilitation.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question stem to identify the key components: a minor (defined by specific ages) and the action ('indulges in anti-social activity').
Recognize that the question is asking for a specific legal or sociological term that defines this scenario.
Evaluate each option. 'Unsocial child' is a personality trait. 'Child abuse' is harm done to a child. 'Congregate group' is a generic term for a gathering.
Consider 'Juvenile Delinquency'. This term specifically relates to unlawful acts committed by minors.
Match the definition of juvenile delinquency to the scenario in the question. The term perfectly fits the description of a young person engaging in anti-social acts, making it the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Definition and legal context of Juvenile Delinquency.
Stem keywords: boy age 16, girl age 18, anti-social activity
Lead-in keywords: known as
Clinical cues: The specific age criteria (boy < 16, girl < 18) point to a historical legal definition in India (Children Act, 1960).
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 85-87

E6 Applied Sociology for Nurses TK Indrani pp. 280-282, 282-284

Practise the full UPPSC 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.