NCJ Number
57883
Journal
MEDIZINISCHE KLINIK Volume: 73 Issue: 22 Dated: (1978) Pages: 843-846
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE VALIDITY OF CONSIDERING JUVENILE UNEMPLOYMENT IS ASSESSED AS A CAUSE OF JUVENILE CRIME.
Abstract
DESPITE THE ASSUMPTION UNDERLYING CERTAIN LAWS THAT WORK IS AN IMPORTANT STABILIZING INFLUENCE FOR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS, IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THAT JUVENILE EMPLOYMENT IS NOT AS NEGATIVE AN INFLUENCE AS GENERALLY BELIEVED. STATISTICS SHOW THAT JUVENILE CRIME INCREASES IN PERIODS OF RELATIVE PROSPERITY, SUGGESTING THAT UNEMPLOYMENT CANNOT CHANGE INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITIES. PREVENTION PROGRAMS MUST THEREFORE FOCUS ALSO ON JUVENILES' FAMILY SITUATIONS AND EARLY SOCIALIZATION AS WELL AS ON EDUCATION, FOR CONTINUOUS UNEMPLOYMENT HAS THE SAME CAUSES AS JUVENILE CRIME. WORK IS A STABILIZING FACTOR WHEN IT SUITS INDIVIDUALS' PARTICULAR INCLINATIONS AND WHEN INDIVIDUALS HAVE FULFILLED THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS WHICH MAKE THEM FEEL QUALIFIED AND COMPETENT. IT IS STRESSED HOWEVER, THAT DESPITE STATISTICAL OBSERVATIONS, RESOCIALIZATION OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS SHOULD STILL INCLUDE OCCUPATIONAL INSTRUCTION TO PREVENT THEIR BEING PLACED AT A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE IN THE WORK MARKET DURING SLOW ECONOMIC PERIODS. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)