NCJ Number
86327
Date Published
1981
Length
73 pages
Annotation
This research focuses on the importance of low socioeconomic status as a factor associated with the high rate of juvenile offending by Maoris in New Zealand.
Abstract
An earlier analysis established the relationship between race, socioeconomic status, and juvenile offending but did not examine the relationship over time. In recent years, Maori crime rates have continued to increase while their relative socioeconomic status is believed to have advanced. Data used in the analysis derived from officially collected trend data on offending and on socioeconomic status indicators. Comparisons were made of the crime trends among Maori and non-Maori populations since the mid-1960's. Trends in socioeconomic indicators were examined for the same population segments over the last three censuses -- 1966, 1971, and 1976. Findings show that overall, the gap between Maori and non-Maori offending rates widened over the period examined (an increase of 4.1 to 1 in 1964 and to 5.6 to 1 in 1976 for juvenile appearances before official bodies). Between 1966 and 1976, the socioeconomic status of the Maori population has remained significantly below that of the non-Maori population, despite significant gains in Maori education and occupational status. Although Maori socioeconomic achievement has improved over the past decade, when Maori achievement is considered in the context of the achievement of non-Maoris, their relative socioeconomic position has not significantly changed. Appended are procedures for dealing with young offenders, an evaluation of official statistics, and the MRC, a formal definition and interpretation as an index of disparity between Maori and non-Maori achievement levels. The reference list contains 40 entries.