NCJ Number
68496
Journal
Kriminalist Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: (1978) Pages: 174-178
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
COMMON FORMS OF JUVENILE OFFENSES IN WEST GERMANY AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR JUVENILE CRIME CONTROL ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
CRIME IS VIEWED AS THE PRODUCT OF SOCIAL NORMS, INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AT VARIOUS LEVELS, THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY, AND CHANGES IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS. THE FACT THAT SO MANY CRIMES GO UNREPORTED ENCOURAGES OFFENDERS, ESPECIALLY JUVENILES, TO CONTINUE CRIMINAL CAREERS. THE PROPORTION OF JUVENILE CRIMES HAS INCREASED CONSIDERABLY SINCE 1961. THE CONSUMER MENTALITY OF MODERN SOCIETY ENCOURAGES SHOPLIFTING AND OTHER FORMS OF THEFT POPULAR AMONG JUVENILES. THEFTS ARE MOST FREQUENTLY COMMITTED BY SMALL GROUPS OF JUVENILES SEEKING ADVENTURE AND GROUP IDENTITY. EVEN IN VERY YOUNG OFFENDERS, VIOLENT CRIMES ARE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. ALCOHOL IS LINKED TO THE INCREASE IN PHYSICALLY AGGRESSIVE JUVENILE CRIMES. IF DISTURBANCES OF NORMAL CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT ARE TO BE PREVENTED, JUVENILE CRIME MUST BE COMBATTED THROUGH COOPERATIVE ACTION AMONG SCHOOL, YOUTH, AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING AUTHORITIES. COURTS MUST IMPOSE BOTH PENALTIES AND EDUCATIONAL MEASURES, DESPITE CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE TWO CORRECTIONAL FUNCTIONS. STRINGENT COURT MEASURES ARE RECOMMENDED, SINCE JUVENILES INTERPRET LENIENCE AS WEAKNESS. ALTHOUGH THE POLICE CANNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF GROWING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, THEY CAN SUPPLY INFORMATION TO OTHER RESPONSIBLE POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. BOREDOM AND LACK OF LEISURE ACTIVITIES ARE CONSIDERED CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO JUVENILE CRIME INVOLVEMENT. A FEW NOTES ARE PROVIDED. --IN GERMAN.