NCJ Number
54123
Journal
BRA (BROTTSFOREBYGGANDE RADET) - APROPA Issue: 3 Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (1978) Pages: 31-36
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE INCREASING RATE OF CRIME AMONG SWEDISH YOUTH MUST BE EXAMINED IN THE CONTEXT OF CHANGES IN MODERN SOCIETY, ASPECTS OF LIFE UNIQUE TO INDUSTRIALIZATION, AND NATURE OF THE CRIME TO OBTAIN A PROPER PERSPECTIVE.
Abstract
CRIME STATISTICS REFLECTING ONLY THOSE INCIDENTS REPORTED TO POLICE MAY BE SOMEWHAT MISLEADING BUT ARE SUFFICIENT TO INDICATE A BURGEONING CRIME RATE, ONE THAT HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED IN SWEDEN SINCE WORLD WAR II AND INCREASINGLY IMPLICATES JUVENILES AS PERPETRATORS. WHEN CRIME STATISTICS ARE LOOKED AT CLOSELY, IT BECOMES APPARENT THAT CHILDREN 12-13 YEARS OF AGE AND 16-18 YEARS OF AGE ARE COMMITTING THE LARGEST NUMBER OF CRIMES AND THAT THEIR OFFENSES MAINLY INVLOLVE PROPERTY--AUTO AND BICYCLE THEFT, VANDALISM, BURGLARY, STEALING. AFTER A TEMPORARY FLING WITH CRIME, THESE YOUTH, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES, BECOME LAWABIDING. THE SITUATION IN THE 1920'S AND 1930'S WAS DIFFERENT; THEN PERSONS AGED 21-24 WERE MORE LIKELY TO OFFEND. CAUSES FOR CRIME AMONG YOUNG PERSONS ARE COMPLEX BUT SEEM TO STEM FROM RAPID INDUSTRIALIZATION (OTHER INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES SHARE THE PROBLEM OF TEENAGE CRIME), REDUCED NEED FOR CHILDREN INSIDE THE FAMILY AS WORKERS, INCREASED SEPARATION OF CHILDREN FROM PARENTS WHO WORK ALL DAY WHILE CHILDREN ATTEND SCHOOL, PROLONGED CHILDHOOD, A HIGH DEGREE OF ANONYMITY WITHIN LARGE CITIES, AND ABSENCE OF A LIFE ROLE FOR TEENAGERS WHO ARE COMING INTO THE AGE OF INCREASED INDEPENDENCE AND ABILITY. IN THE 1970'S, CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY TO FIND ACCEPTANCE, FEELINGS OF WORTH, SATISFYING ACTIVITY, AND EXCITEMENT AMONG FRIENDS THAN AMONG THE FAMILY. THIS SITUATION AGGRAVATES THE TENDENCY OF JUVENILES TO FORM GANGS AND LEADS TO THE NEED TO PROVE THEMSELVES WITHIN THE 'GANG FAMILY.' DEVIANT ACTS OFTEN ARE COMMITTED WITHIN THIS CONTEXT.--IN SWEDISH. (DAG)