The Role of Christian Moral Education in Preventing Juvenile Delinquency in the Secondary School Environment

Abstract

Adolescence is a crucial phase characterized by emotional instability and the search for identity, which often triggers the emergence of deviant behavior in the school environment. This study examines the strategic role of Christian Moral Education as a preventive instrument in mitigating the increase in juvenile delinquency, ranging from disciplinary violations to serious acts such as violence and drug abuse. Using a descriptive qualitative method through in-depth observation and interviews with teachers and students of Catholic Religious Education, this study explores how religious values are implemented in students' daily lives. The findings of the study show that Christian Moral Education has a fundamental role in internalizing the values of love, honesty, and self-control that strengthen the character and accuracy of students' ethical decision-making, especially in the face of the negative impact of the digital era. However, the effectiveness of this education still faces significant challenges, both from internal factors in the form of low student motivation, as well as external factors such as lack of family support and peer pressure. This study concludes that successful adolescent character formation requires holistic synergy between school, family, and social environment, which is integrated with local cultural wisdom and relevant technological approaches.