NCJ Number
183425
Date Published
1998
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A survey of juvenile delinquency in 12 countries through the International Self-report Delinquency Study (ISRD) has measured the prevalence and frequency of different types of delinquency, aided understanding of similarities and differences in delinquency, and contributed to the solution of methodological problems.
Abstract
The ISRD began in 1990. It takes place in Finland, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, the United States, and New Zealand. The survey gathered data from persons ages 14-21 years. Results revealed considerable similarity in delinquency rates and in the nature of the most frequently reported offenses. However, juvenile drug use and drug use by young adults does not seem yet to have penetrated as deeply in southern Europe as in western Europe and the United States. Males commit more offenses than females, except for shoplifting and fare evasion. The peak age is 16-17 for property offenses, 14-15 for vandalism, and 18-20 for violence against the person. Drug use typically starts late and does not stop at age 21. Drug use seems related to early school leaving and unemployment in several studies. The relationship with both the mother and the father appear to be important with respect to delinquent behavior. Parental supervision is a powerful predictor of delinquency in all participating countries. Finally, half to two-thirds of youths ages 14-21 occasionally commit a minor offense in a 1-year period. Tables and 4 references