Juvenile delinquency is not a modern problem of society, but is only discussed more publicly due to its constant presence in the media. The current trial of three youths from Munich, who beat a man to death in September last year because of his moral courage, triggered a nationwide debate on juvenile delinquency and became the focus of social as well as political discussions. Due to daily "horror reports" in the media, it can be assumed that the brutality of young people and the extent of juvenile delinquency in Germany have increased enormously in recent years. But whether this assumption corresponds to reality and is not exclusively caused by the media is one of the questions to be examined in this paper. During many political discussions, the question repeatedly comes to the fore as to whether it makes sense to introduce tougher sanction measures and to tighten the Youth Act. Regarding these questions, many empirical studies are conducted that examine and compare the effects of prison detention and therapeutic measures.
Accordingly, this paper deals with the central question of whether tougher sanctioning measures can reduce the extent of juvenile delinquency and which possible preventive measures achieve an appropriate effect. In the first part of the thesis, the terms delinquency, juveniles and juvenile delinquency will be explained in order to create a clear basis of definition for this thesis. In addition, the age of criminal responsibility of children, youths and adolescents will be dealt with in order to give an overview of legal basics on this topic. In the following two chapters, statistics will be used to examine the extent to which juvenile delinquency has increased or decreased in Germany and whether changes can be observed with regard to criminal offences. Subsequently, the state of research regarding the causes of juvenile delinquency will be examined more closely, as the explanatory approaches represent an important basis for possible preventive measures, which will be the focus of the last chapter.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definitions of terms
2.1 Crime, deviance, delinquency
2.2 Juveniles and criminal responsibility
2.3 Juvenile delinquency
3. The extent of juvenile delinquency
4. Forms of juvenile delinquency
4.1 Offences
4.2 Young migrants
5. Risk factors
5.1 Social influencing factors
5.1.1 Family
5.1.2 Peer group
5.1.3 School
5.1.4 Media
5.1.5 Environment and social space
5.2 Individual characteristics and personality traits
5.2.1. Biological characteristics
5.2.2 Willingness to use violence and risk-taking
5.2.3 Gender
6. Preventive measures
6.1 Definition of prevention
6.2 Police, judiciary and sanctions
6.3 Home and school
6.4 Youth welfare
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Focus
This paper investigates the development of juvenile delinquency in Germany, questioning whether the perceived increase in brutality is a reality or a media-driven phenomenon. It analyzes the effectiveness of current sanctioning versus preventive measures and explores the risk factors that contribute to criminal behavior in youth.
- Analysis of legal definitions and the extent of juvenile crime in Germany.
- Examination of social and individual risk factors influencing criminal behavior.
- Evaluation of the impact of media, family, school, and social environment.
- Review of preventive strategies including police, judicial, and youth welfare interventions.
- Assessment of the necessity of tightening juvenile criminal law versus fostering supportive measures.
Excerpt from the Book
5.1.1 Family
The family is the most important socialisation instance in a person's life and shapes them from birth onwards. Lack of emotional support, conflict-laden interactions within the family, a hostile, rejecting family climate as well as a rejecting and punishing parenting style have an impact on the social and cognitive development of the child or adolescent and can represent risk factors for the development of criminal acts.
For example, young people who have experienced violence in their family show a much higher propensity to violence than children who were allowed to grow up in wellprotected families. Due to the dark field, it cannot be ensured that violence in the family mainly takes place in socially disadvantaged families, but based on statistics, a connection between the social situation and registered offences could be established. With regard to this, a low social status of the family is a factor that increases the probability of crime.
Theoretical foundations range from Hirschi's control theory to psychological learning theories and psychoanalytical theories, which will only be briefly mentioned here. Hirschi, the pioneer of control theory, cites the importance of control variables such as attachment, interaction and involvement on the part of parents. Through a good, social relationship and fluent communication between parents and child, the child can be indirectly controlled and prevented from committing criminal acts. Hirschi believes that through a good relationship with parents, children would learn about their attitudes and expectations, adopt them if the parents' attitudes are positive, and be more likely to refrain from criminal acts. Psychoanalytic theories describe criminality as an expression of personality disorders that arise due to deficits in the child's early development, on which the family has a great influence. Accordingly, psychoanalytical theories can also be consulted when it comes to the connection between family and criminality.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The paper introduces the debate on juvenile delinquency in Germany, focusing on the discrepancy between media representation and statistical reality, while defining the research questions regarding sanctions and prevention.
2. Definitions of terms: This section clarifies essential legal and sociological terms such as crime, deviance, delinquency, and explains the age-based legal differentiation between children, juveniles, and adolescents.
3. The extent of juvenile delinquency: This chapter analyzes police crime statistics to determine the actual trends in juvenile criminality and highlights the disproportionate representation of young suspects.
4. Forms of juvenile delinquency: An examination of the types of offences committed by young people, distinguishing between occasional and intensive offenders, and discussing the specific context of young migrants.
5. Risk factors: This chapter categorizes the various influences on criminal development, ranging from family, peer groups, and school to individual personality traits and social environment.
6. Preventive measures: The author evaluates different levels of prevention—primary, secondary, and tertiary—and discusses the role of the judiciary, schools, and youth welfare services.
7. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes findings, emphasizing that effective prevention must be resource-oriented and multi-faceted rather than relying solely on punitive sanctions.
Keywords
Juvenile delinquency, Germany, criminal law, prevention, socialisation, risk factors, police crime statistics, family influence, intensive offenders, youth welfare, violent crime, sanctions, recidivism, adolescents, social environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the development and causes of juvenile delinquency in Germany and critically evaluates whether tougher sanctions are an effective response to current trends in youth crime.
What central themes are addressed regarding juvenile behavior?
Key themes include the impact of family dynamics, school environments, peer groups, and social/housing conditions on the emergence of criminal behavior in young people.
What is the main research question or objective?
The objective is to determine if current trends in juvenile delinquency (often reported as increasingly brutal) are statistically accurate and to identify which preventive measures are more effective than simple punishment.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The study relies on an analysis of existing police crime statistics, criminological theories, and scholarly research to evaluate the effectiveness of different prevention strategies.
What is the focus of the final chapter?
The final chapter discusses concrete preventive measures and concludes that society should focus on resource-oriented, multi-agency cooperation rather than primarily on punitive criminal policy.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include juvenile delinquency, prevention, socialisation, risk factors, and recidivism.
Does the paper consider the role of the media in shaping public perception?
Yes, the paper discusses how media reports often create a distorted perception of the extent and brutality of juvenile delinquency in Germany.
How does the author define the difference between delinquency and deviance?
The paper defines delinquency as behavior that specifically violates legal principles, whereas deviance is a broader term for behavior that deviates from general social norms.
What role does the "intensive offender" group play in this study?
The author identifies intensive offenders as a small but significant group responsible for a large portion of serious offenses, highlighting them as a primary target for tertiary prevention.
- Quote paper
- Mirka Fuchs (Author), 2010, Forms of Juvenile Delinquency. Causes and Prevention Measures, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1164319
