NCJ Number
54121
Journal
BRA (BROTTSFOREBYGGANDE RADET) - APROPA Issue: 3 Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (1978) Pages: 22-25
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS SHOULD BE TAUGHT AND EXPECTED TO LIVE UP TO SOCIAL NORMS. THOSE WHO DEVIATE SHOULD BE CHECKED EITHER BY SOCIAL CONTROLS OR BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
A SOCIETY ESTABLISHES NORMS AND REGULATIONS THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED BY ALL PERSONS WITHIN THAT SOCIETY TO AVOID CHAOS. THAT SAME SOCIETY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUNISHING THOSE PERSONS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO THE NORMS. JUVENILES COMING FROM MIDDLE-CLASS SWEDISH FAMILIES, AS INDICATED IN AN EARLIER STUDY, WHO MEET AGAINST LITTLE RESTRAINT WITHIN THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENT AND ARE NOT EXPECTED TO ADHERE TO FAMILY NORMS ARE LIKELY TO BREAK SOCIETY'S LAWS AND NORMS IF THEY INTERFERE WITH IMMEDIATE SATISFACTION OF PERSONAL WANTS. ADULTS WITHIN THE SOCIETY MUST INTERFERE WHEN JUVENILES DEVIATE; FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THEY SHOPLIFT, VANDALIZE, OR PHYSICALLY ATTACK OTHERS. REACTIONS AND RESPONSES TO DEVIANT BEHAVIOR SHOULD BE CLEAR AND WHOLE-HEARTED. LIKEWISE, RESPONSES BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SHOULD BE SYSTEMATIC AND STERN ENOUGH TO DETER. ADULTS MUST BE LAWABIDING MODELS FOR YOUTH, PRESENT POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT FOR LAWFUL AND RESPONSIBLE YOUTH ACTIVITY, AND BE CAREFUL TO REACT ONLY AGAINST THE CRIMINAL AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOR, NOT AGAINST THE PERSON. --IN SWEDISH. (DAG)