Adolescent Problem Behavior in the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany: Implications for Prevention (From Social Intervention: Potential and Constraints, P 185-204, 1987, Klaus Hurrelmann, et. al., eds.)

• NCJ Number: 120471
• Author(s): S F Hamilton
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 20 pages
• Sale Source: Walter de Gruyter & Co
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: West Germany (Former)

Annotation

The purposeful integration of schooling, work experience, and careers promotes young people's commitment to the social order and fosters personally and socially responsible behavior.

Abstract

A closer interrelationship between the model's three independent factors in the Federal Republic of Germany has resulted in a low incidence of problem behaviors such as premature childbearing, drug abuse, crime and violent death (the model's dependent variables). However, in the United States, the disconnection between schooling, work experience, and careers leads to alienation and socially unacceptable behaviors. West German youth can participate in apprenticeships which combine the three factors, while in the U.S., secondary education has little impact on initial entry into the labor force. Non-college youth in the U.S. have a difficult time making the transition from school to a career. Secondly, peer and family influences in West Germany are more likely to support the system of moving youth from school into careers, while the reverse is true in the U.S., with the possible exceptions of poor and minority families. While total school enrollment is higher for West German 19-year olds than for U.S. 19-year olds, a higher proportion of American youth are enrolled in institutions of higher education. Different educational systems make comparisons difficult, however, it appears that between five and ten percent of West German youth are secondary school dropouts, between one-third and two-thirds the size of the comparable U.S. dropout population. Youth unemployment is a cause for alarm in both countries. In the U.S., 39 percent of all unemployed persons are under 25, while in West Germany, youth seeking apprenticeships following schooling and apprentices seeking full-time employment are most likely to be unemployed. Statistics on serious problem behaviors consistently indicate higher rates in the U.S., particularly in teenage pregnancy, illicit drug use, and crime. Mortality rates for U.S. youth are higher, primarily due to death from auto accidents and homicide. 5 figures, 27 references.