NCJ Number
89357
Date Published
1982
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article summarizes the salient points about crime and juvenile delinquency in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the West.
Abstract
The situation in Africa is highlighted in terms of urbanization and the disproportionate numbers of juveniles in the population due to unchecked birth rates, which emburden implementation of crime prevention policies. Asian conditions are likewise characterized by urbanization problems, unemployment, population growth, cultural conflicts among population groups, and the weakening of traditional social controls. In Latin America, crime is also increasing with juveniles responsible for a disproportionate amount of the total offenses; urbanization and the dissolution of traditional lifestyles is taking place faster than anywhere else, and conditions of migrants are deplorable. Macho values continue to dominate, while drugs and alcohol abuse are on the increase and educated middle-class youths are espousing terrorist ideologies. Among the problems faced by the technologically advanced Western countries are juvenile gangs, overall increase in violent crime, increased involvement of juveniles in serious crime forms, school vandalism, and juvenile victimization of the elderly. One photograph is supplied.