NCJ Number
140328
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 231-246
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
While the proportion of Swedish youths involved in juvenile delinquency has remained constant over the past few years, these youths are committing an increasing number of offenses. Swedish criminologists explain the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency as a result of greater opportunity to commit crimes and lessened social control in terms of internal, socialized factors.
Abstract
Research on Swedish delinquency has focused on identifying the process by which urban males have a higher probability of initial involvement in delinquency and a few are exposed to factors which are conducive to recidivist behavior. The Role Relations Theory suggests that youthful involvement in delinquency depends on four factors: the scope of youths' relationships, frequency of interaction, the degree of independence in choosing with whom to interact, and the degree of integration in the roles youths play. While the Swedish welfare system has paid attention to society's material resources, it has neglected its youths' emotional and social needs. Delinquency prevention programs should focus on reducing the emotional dependence on delinquent peers by increasing the overlap and scope of roles, thereby improving the ability to resist peer pressure. 68 references