There are many individual-level variables that can explain why juveniles become involved in criminal acts. An important variable that plays an important role in this is the greater effect that the family context has on the role of the child's development. More specifically, the idea of ​​child abuse comes into play which has always been studied and focused on as an important part of why some children become involved in delinquent acts. Child abuse involves important family characteristics that influence a child's growth and will ultimately harm him or her both physically and mentally. If a child is harmed at a young age, then their way of thinking and perceiving the world changes, especially if they are not provided help in their time of need. Child abuse is a serious problem and is an important point that influences juvenile delinquency and the role they play in society, that is, whether they have a positive or negative role and how they will live their life. Elrod and Ryder (2011) state that Child physical abuse is rather more specific than any other type of “discipline”. There is a difference between spanking and physical child abuse, and that physical child abuse is more of a certain degree, not a kind. There is no specific estimate of the exact role played by child abuse and neglect in the United States, however it is certain that there is a significant social problem in this area. Elrod and Ryder (2011) state that even mild forms of violence against children can encourage aggression and that physical abuse is strongly related to a number of child adjustment problems. One of the major problems of child adjustment falls into the area of ​​violent youth crime. Physical child abuse, in addition to having physical injuries, very seriously affects a child's mental state...... middle of paper ......ed when determining whether this has anything to do with the their decision to be involved in criminal acts. Physical child abuse can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder and can ultimately affect their state of mind and how they view decisions as good or bad. By not being able to distinguish the differences between good and evil, they are more likely to get involved in negative acts that can affect the outcome of the rest of their lives. Serious problems come into play when a child's mental state is altered and it can be very difficult to get them back on the right path in life, especially if they have been too deeply involved in delinquent acts. It is important to combat this problem from the beginning to help them stay on track and provide the help they need to adjust their mental state to the correct stage.