NCJ Number
112506
Journal
Journal of Ethnic Studies Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1988) Pages: 137-142
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
To examine changes over time of socioeconomic variables versus immigrant status (country of origin) as predictors of juvenile delinquency, data were gathered from the 1972 and 1973 censuses of the Israeli population and from juvenile probation services.
Abstract
Data were for 61 towns with populations over 5,000 in which the majority of inhabitants were Jews. It was hypothesized that the ability of country of origin (specifically Asia or Africa) would decrease as a predictor of juvenile delinquency over time and that socioeconomic variables would acquire greater saliency. Correlational analysis provided strong confirmation for the second half of the hypothesis, and partial confirmation for the first half. The relationship between juvenile crime and country of origin did not decrease, but it also did not increase statistically. That is, as the tenure of immigrants of Asian-African origin increased, the impact of cultural factors stemming from the country of origin status remained constant while the pressures of socioeconomic constraints increased. In support of culture-conflict theory, results suggest a march from immigrant to deviant status, with subsequent socialization to the dominant European culture over time resulting in deviance being more closely related to socioeconomic status than country of origin. 2 tables and 20 references.