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International Summaries: Crime Prevention in School: Some Research Directions

NCJ Number
125621
Editor(s)
M Gummesson, L Alexandarsson
Date Published
1989
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes a collection of papers that explore the ability of schools to prevent future crime by influencing and changing the direction of children's behavior.
Abstract
The papers review research and summarize studies that examine the school's historical role of social control in Sweden, the school's ability to predict and possibly change the direction of a child's behavior and course of development, and bullying behavior and the school's responsibility to prevent it. Sarnecki found that difficulties in adjusting at school appeared to be early signs that a student is at risk of later social and economic problems. Grosnin reported on research indicating that schools can have a significant impact on student learning problems and social adjustment. Stattin examined the effects of early life circumstances, while Olweus found that school bullies were much more often convicted in later years than were other children. Overall, the papers suggest that the schools have both the capability and the responsibility to intervene and respond when children are not thriving.