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SOCIAL CHANGE AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

NCJ Number
43917
Journal
Kriminalistik Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1977) Pages: 49-57
Author(s)
U DOERMANN
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND URBANIZATION, PROBLEMS OF LEISURE-TIME ACTIVITIES, THE YOUTH SUB-CULTURE, AND THE CHANGE OF VALUES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR ASCERTAINS THAT A NUMBER OF SOCIAL CHANGES HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR AN INCREASE IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, ALTHOUGH SOME TENDENCIES ARE WEAKENING AND IN FACT REVERSING THEMSELVES, SUCH AS THE CONCENTRATION OF POPULATION IN LARGE CITIES. THE BASIC VALUE SYSTEM HAS NOT CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PAST DECADES WITH THE MAJORITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A STRONGER DESIRE FOR INDEPENDENCE AND NEW ATTITUDES TOWARDS RELIGION AND SEX. IT IS NOTEWORTHY, HOWEVER, THAT A MINORITY OF 10-20 PERCENT REPRESENT A GROUP WITH DIVERGENT ATTITUDES, REFERRED TO AS THE YOUTH SUB-CULTURE (POLITICAL PROTEST AND DRUG ABUSE ARE NOTED AS TWO FEATURES). ANOTHER GROUP DISCUSSED IS THE CHILDREN OF FOREIGN WORKERS IN WEST GERMANY, WHO MAY VIEW THEMSELVES AS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE WITH THEIR GERMAN PEERS. THE AUTHOR POINTS TO THE AMERICAN EXAMPLE AS TO WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN A SECOND GENERATION OF IMMIGRANTS DOES NOT COMPLETELY ASSIMILATE INTO SOCIETY. HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE FAIRLY WELL-DISTRIBUTED WEALTH AND SECURE SOCIALIZED SYSTEM, THE AUTHOR DOES NOT FORESEE A RESURGENCE IN CRIME OF NEED. -- IN GERMAN