In the 1960s the Federal Republic of Germany signed contracts with Turkey and other countries to send workers, mostly from rural areas, to support the booming industrial economy (The German Economic Miracle). [...] Nowadays Germany is a country of immigration which faces the challenges but also chances of a multicultural society. Unfortunately many foreign families are dependent on public transfer payments and therefore live in poor social and economical situations. People who are living under difficult conditions with no prospect for a positive change are likely to become criminals. Especially male teenagers and young men with migrant backgrounds (between 14-25 years) are in larger German cities more likely to be intensive culprits and commit crime.Therefore juvenile delinquency is an important issue for Germany which has been discussed in the public dispute for many years. The scandal about the “Rütli-Hauptschule” in Berlin (2006), where tutors refused to give lessons because they felt threatened by pupils, was probably just the tip of the iceberg but led together with other scandals again to a debate to find solutions for this problem. During the election campaign in the Bundesland (Federal State) Hessen Roland Koch, politician of the German Christian Democratic Party, named a resolution. He proposed that young criminals, so particularly young males with migrant backgrounds, should be more severe punished. Although it perhaps was a statement to catch votes during the election campaign even so it could be a solution for the problem. But is this the only and above all the best solution? The author of this essay has been following the discussion and was beside a solution interested in having a look behind the various reasons for their bearing to get committed to crimes. For that Berlin, the capital of Germany, was a very good example because it is one of the most cultural diverse cities in Germany and has got a high crime rate among young males with foreign origins. In addition the “Landes-kommission Berlin gegen Gewalt” assigned between 2005 and 2007 a task force consisting of scientists, members of the police, public
services and representatives of migrant organizations to examine the issue in detail as well as to work out recommendations for a possible solution. The aim of this essay is to state reasons for their behavior and to compare the suggestion by Roland Koch with the suggestions of the task force for an improvement in the situation.
Table of Contents
1. Violent crimes committed by young men of foreign origins
2. Reasons for violent behavior by young men of foreign origins
3. Recommendations for an improvement in the situation
4. A process of rethinking instead of more severe punishment
Objectives and Topics
This essay examines the socio-economic and cultural factors contributing to violent delinquency among young men with migrant backgrounds in Germany, specifically focusing on the situation in Berlin. The primary research goal is to critically evaluate the debate between proponents of stricter penal measures, such as politician Roland Koch, and the multi-dimensional, integration-focused recommendations proposed by the "Landeskommission Berlin gegen Gewalt."
- Socio-economic challenges and the legacy of the "Gastarbeiter" era.
- Cultural role models and their impact on masculine identity and conflict resolution.
- The role of structural discrimination in schools and the labor market.
- Critique of punitive versus preventive policy approaches.
- Institutional recommendations for integration and social cohesion.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Reasons for violent behavior by young men of foreign origins
Berlin is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Germany and has a high youth crime rate. Teenagers and young adults with Turkish, Kurdish, Lebanese, former Yugoslavian and unknown or unsure (often Palestinian) nationalities are much more likely to be criminals than their German counterparts. Although young women are often in similar social and economical situations they are not as often as young men committed to violent crimes. This leads to the questions why especially young males with migrant backgrounds become culprits. Cultural, social, economical, legal status caused and personal factors can be taken into consideration for their more aggressive and violent behavior.
First of all the puberty can be a difficult period for all male teenagers because their bodies are often developing much faster than they are maturing mentally. During this time they also try out various things to find out who they are. It is for example often ordinary for boys to measure their strengths by doing sport activities and competitions but also by brawls among themselves. Compared to German especially foreign teenagers are more likely to exaggerate this and also to use violence instead of verbal discussions to solve conflicts in general.
Summary of Chapters
1. Violent crimes committed by young men of foreign origins: Provides a historical overview of migration in Germany and outlines the current problem of high crime rates among young migrant males, identifying it as a complex issue linked to social exclusion.
2. Reasons for violent behavior by young men of foreign origins: Analyzes the interplay of traditional cultural role models, puberty, socio-economic disadvantages, and structural discrimination as drivers for violent behavior.
3. Recommendations for an improvement in the situation: Details comprehensive proposals for schools, kindergartens, police, and social agencies to facilitate better integration and conflict prevention.
4. A process of rethinking instead of more severe punishment: Evaluates the limitations of purely punitive political rhetoric and argues for a holistic approach centered on social inclusion and legal equality.
Keywords
Migration, Violent Crimes, Juvenile Delinquency, Integration, Berlin, Gastarbeiter, Socio-economic Factors, Cultural Role Models, Structural Discrimination, Public Policy, Prevention, Youth Unemployment, Social Segregation, Legal Status, Multicultural Society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this essay?
The essay explores the phenomenon of violent crimes committed by young men with migrant backgrounds in Germany, analyzing the root causes and potential societal responses.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The main themes include the impact of the historical "Gastarbeiter" recruitment, socio-economic marginalization, the influence of traditional gender roles, and the efficacy of different integration policies.
What is the main research objective of the author?
The goal is to assess whether harsher criminal sentencing is an effective solution to juvenile delinquency or if a structural, preventive approach is necessary for sustainable improvement.
Which scientific methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a qualitative analysis approach, synthesizing reports from the "Landeskommission Berlin gegen Gewalt" and relevant sociological discourse to evaluate policy suggestions.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body investigates the factors leading to crime, such as lack of employment opportunities, cultural factors, and educational challenges, followed by concrete recommendations for various social institutions.
Which keywords best characterize the research?
Key terms include Migration, Juvenile Delinquency, Social Integration, Structural Discrimination, and Public Policy.
How does the "Gastarbeiter" history impact modern crime rates according to the text?
The text suggests that the initial lack of long-term integration strategies for guest workers led to structural disadvantages, which persist through generations and manifest in lower educational and economic outcomes for their children.
Why does the author criticize the proposal for stricter punishment?
The author argues that stricter sentencing acts only as a temporary deterrent and fails to address the underlying causes of frustration and hopelessness among marginalized migrant youth.
What role do "parallel societies" play in the author's analysis?
The author identifies social segregation in certain districts as a barrier to language acquisition and integration, which contributes to the social isolation and restricted job prospects of migrant youth.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sandro Sterneberg (Autor:in), 2008, Migration in Germany - Violent crimes committed by young men of foreign orignis , München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/137331
