Parents may have had some contributions for why their kids would become criminals. But let's face it, any kid is surrounded by different other influencing factors which may have contributed to their behaviors too. Any parent would say that they've done the best for their kids, they all have different standards to good parenting so that's really not all to blame. When we say criminals who are underage, even if they're law breakers, they're still underaged. If we treat them like any other criminals who has no chance of changing, then they will continue to do unproductive things because they eventually loose all hope of changing for the better. I mean what's the use if everyone won't give you that opportunity to make up for your mistakes. I think the answer could really be effective rehabilitation from programs which are proven to work. Here's a few related discussion for parents who may have had this dilemma. The family's support and love is also one thing that might help them with trying to reform...