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ROLE OF THE SCHOOLS IN SWEDISH CRIME PREVENTION WORK

NCJ Number
47284
Journal
CURRENT SWEDEN Issue: 97 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1975) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
Author(s)
E ASPELIN
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF SWEDISH SCHOOLS IN CRIME PREVENTION OCCURS PRIMARILY THROUGH GRADED INSTRUCTION IN CIVIL RIGHTS AND LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO ENHANCE LEGAL AWARENESS AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF NORMATIVE SOCIAL VALUES.
Abstract
IN GRADES ONE THROUGH THREE, CHILDREN RECEIVE BASIC INSTRUCTION IN TRAFFIC SAFETY AND RULES IN A UNIT COLLABORATIVELY DESIGNED AND TAUGHT WITH THE TRAFFIC POLICE. IN THESE GRADES, AN INTRODUCTION TO NORMS OF SOCIAL BEHAVIORS REGARDING PERSONAL AND PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS MAY ALSO BE INCLUDED. INSTRUCTION IN CIVIL RIGHTS AND LEGISLATION ASSUMES A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE IN SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES FOR FOURTH, FIFTH, AND SIXTH GRADE PUPILS. TRAFFIC INSTRUCTION IS CONTINUED, AND LEGAL ISSUES PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO THIS AGE GROUP ARE EMPHASIZED. THESE INCLUDE SOCIAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, NARCOTICS AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES. FOR GRADES SEVEN THROUGH NINE, LEGISLATION AND CIVIL RIGHTS BECOME A SPECIAL AREA OF STUDY. THE CURRICULUM AT THIS STAGE SHOULD INCLUDE THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND ITS PROBLEMS, THE ROLE OF POLICE AND THEIR SOCIAL HELP AND OTHER FUNCTIONS, RELATED PROFESSIONS, PRACTICAL ORIENTATION TO LAWS AFFECTING THE INDIVIDUAL, AND COURT PROCEDURES. CRIMES AND THEIR LEGAL CONSEQUENCES, CRIME PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION, INSTITUTIONAL CARE AND TREATMENT, AND THE MOTIVATIONAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIORS ARE COVERED. MORE INTENSIVE INSTRUCTION IN CIVIL RIGHTS AND LEGISLATION IS AVAILABLE IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS (ABOVE NINTH GRADE). COURSE CONTENT AND EMPHASIS VARIES WITH THE PUPILS' AREA OF SPECIALIZED STUDY. SPECIALIZED MULTIDISCIPLINARY COURSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR TEACHERS, POLICE, AND SOCIAL WORKERS. AS PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, POLICEMEN PROVIDE 2 HOURS OF CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POLICE IN EACH FOURTH, SEVENTH, AND (FUNDS PERMITTING) NINTH GRADE CLASS THROUGHOUT THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. PROPOSALS FOR EXPANDING THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION. WHILE THE PRESENTATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION CANNOT AUTOMATICALLY BE EXPECTED TO RESULT IN OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW, IT IS HOPED THAT SUCH A PROGRAM WILL AID IN DEVELOPING AND STRENGTHENING PUPILS' SOCIAL NORMS. FURTHER, THE IMPACT OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM WILL DEPEND ON ITS COORDINATION WITH OTHER FACTORS IN CRIME PREVENTION WORK. (JAP)