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BACKGROUNDS OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY (FROM UNAFEI RESOURCE MATERIAL SERIES NO 14, 1978, SEE NCJ-51514)

NCJ Number
51523
Author(s)
U N LYNN
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
PAPERS CONCERNING THE CAUSES AND REMEDIES FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN JAPAN, IRAN, IRAQ, BURMA, AND KOREA ARE SUMMARIZED.
Abstract
JUVENILE MOTORCYCLE GANGS IN JAPAN CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MEMBERS OF SUCH GANGS ARE PRESENTED BASED ON A SURVEY OF GANG MEMBERS IN 1975. INCREASING THE AGE FOR DRIVING LICENSES, ENCOURAGING PARENTS TO EXERT TIGHTER CONTROLS OVER THEIR CHILDREN'S DRIVING, STRICTER ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, AND STIMULATION OF YOUTH TOWARD POSITIVE CREATIVE ACTIVITIES THROUGH SCHOOL AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS ARE SUGGESTED AS COUNTERMEASURES FOR THE UNHEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF THE GANG SUBCULTURE. THE MOST FREQUENT JUVENILE OFFENSES COMMITTED IN JAPAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS BELIEVED TO CONTRIBUTE TO DELINQUENCY ARE DISCUSSED. IN PRESENTING VARIOUS CONTRIBUTORY CAUSES TO JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN KOREA, THE IMPACTS ON JUVENILE MISBEHAVIOR FROM DRINKING, SMOKING, AND HAVING LONG HAIR ARE STRESSED. LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO SUPPORT TRADITIONAL KOREAN MORALITY AND COUNTER SUBVERSIVE MISBEHAVIOR IS ADVOCATED. FACTORS RELATED TO JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN BURMA ARE UNSTABLE FAMILY LIFE, THE BREAKDOWN OF COMMUNITY LIFE DUE TO URBANIZATION, A POOR SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG YOUTH. IN DISCUSSING DELINQUENCY FACTORS IN IRAN, THE HISTORY OF THE IRANIAN CORPORATE FAMILY BASED ON POLYGAMY IS REVIEWED. UNDER A CORPORATE FAMILY SYSTEM COMPOSED OF TWO OR MORE WIVES AND THEIR CHILDREN, IT IS DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SOCIAL EDUCATION AND DISCIPLINE FOR CHILDREN NEEDED TO INCULCATE PROPER CULTURAL BEHAVIOR. THE SAME TYPE OF FAMILY SYSTEM IS NOTED TO CONTRIBUTE TO DELINQUENCY IN IRAQ. IRAQI FAMILIES CONSIST OF FROM 4 TO 10 PERSONS. IN SUCH LARGE FAMILIES, SOCIALIZATION AND THE PROVISION OF BASIC EMOTIONAL AND MATERIAL NEEDS FOR CHILDREN ARE DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO OBTAIN. MODIFICATION OF THE EXISTING FAMILY SYSTEM IS ADVISED. (RCB)