Family and Institution as Socializing Agents within the Adolescent Criminal Responsibility System

Familia e Institución como Agentes Socializadores dentro del Sistema de Responsabilidad Penal Adolescente

Objective: To analyze the family and institutional socialization process from the perspective of families who were linked to the Criminal Responsibility System for Adolescents in the city of Tunja. Method: A qualitative, interpretive research was carried out. The participants were four families with adolescent children who served legal sentences. Interviews with adolescents and families were used as a technique to collect information. Results: It is observed that families have different ways of organizing themselves and their socializing function revolves around the development of their children and the projection of family life. At an institutional level, it is understood that the criminal responsibility system is linked as a support network in the training and orientation processes with families. Finally, it is inferred that adolescent delinquency is due to permanent support by their main socializing agents, such as the family and institutions; this in the redefinition of adolescents' lives and the non-repetition of the damage committed. Conclusions: There is a need to reconfigure social views regarding families linked to the juvenile penal system, as socializing agents and builders of society.