NCJ Number
136377
Journal
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: special issue (March 1992) Pages: 51-78
Date Published
1992
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This paper focuses on the degree of involvement in crime of ethnic minority boys in the Netherlands, as compared to indigenous boys, and on the possible causes of crime involvement.
Abstract
A random sample was selected from three ethnic groups (Moroccans, Turks, and Surinamese). The control group consisted of indigenous boys with a comparable socioeconomic background. The total sample included 182 Moroccan, 196 Turk, 206 Surinamese, and 206 Dutch boys who ranged in age from 12 to 17 years. Data were obtained on self-reported and recorded delinquency, family and school life, leisure time, traditionalism, migration problems, and socioeconomic status. Findings indicated that ethnic minority youth had higher crime rates than indigenous Dutch youth. Of all the ethnic groups, Moroccans had the highest arrest rates, followed by Surinamese youth and Turks. Differences in crime between ethnic groups simply represented differences in the level of participation in crime; no differences were found among ethnic groups as to offense type or frequency of offending. Systematic relations were observed between socioeconomic position and delinquent behavior within ethnic groups. Youth with a strong bond to school were less delinquent than those with a weak bond. Overall, results supported social control theory. Youth with strong bonds to the family, school, and conventional values were likely to have relatively low delinquency rates. An appendix contains additional information on study variables. 48 references and 10 tables