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Predelinquent Student Subcultures in Japan: A Comparative Analysis of Junior High School Students and Adults

NCJ Number
116197
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1988) Pages: 159-175
Author(s)
M Yajima
Date Published
1988
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article describes the comparison of junior high students to adults on attitudes toward negative images.
Abstract
The author addresses the issue of juvenile delinquency in Japan and the claim that they, including predelinquents, have been given negative images, labeled and rejected by teachers and their classmates. The sample includes third-year junior high school students who were given questionnaires. This sample was compared to a sample of adults over 20 years of age. The results of the junior high survey show that 'good boys and girls' are not always given better images than delinquent boys and girls, and both good and bad images are given to themselves. Some junior high school students accept delinquent boys and girls and reject 'good boys and girls.' The students have a tendency to give good images to delinquent boys and girls and to give bad images to 'good boys and girls' in comparison with adults. They also have tendency to accept delinquent boys and girls and to reject 'good boys and girls' in comparison with adults. Especially, low-ranked students and students of the escaping type have these tendencies more strongly. It was concluded that junior high school students' subcultures that are composed of 'enjoying one's youthful days with friends' based on 'value of youth' are predelinquent subcultures. 5 figures and 5 tables.