NCJ Number
140326
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 185-206
Date Published
1992
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Juvenile delinquency in West Germany has been marked by dramatic increases in the post-World War II era, although the delinquency rate has stabilized somewhat since the 1980's.
Abstract
Most juvenile offenders are charged with minor thefts and road traffic violations. Violent crimes, illegal drug crimes, and sexual offenses together comprise less than 5 percent of the total number of youth offenses. Nearly all juvenile offenders are male; the proportion of female offenders, most of whom are charged with shoplifting and bicycle theft, has remained fairly constant. Ethnic and foreign youth are becoming more involved in delinquency, often through their participation in youth gangs. Soccer hooligans and right-wing skinheads are also gaining more public attention. In general, delinquents are characterized by lower socioeconomic status, socialization deficiencies, unemployment, and non-supportive families. West German criminologists use socialization, social learning, and social control theories to explain the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency. The juvenile justice systems tends to favor non-custodial measures and diversion strategies as well as community service and victim-offender mediation. 20 references and 2 figures