NCJ Number
189172
Journal
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2001 Pages: 5-29
Date Published
2001
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This article discusses various dimensions of the social integration of minorities into society and the theoretical links between integration and criminal behavior.
Abstract
The article uses the Netherlands as an example of a country dealing with the social integration of minorities. It examines the characteristics of Dutch society and the features of various ethnic groups, particularly the groups' social and cultural capital that can help them integrate into the dominant society. It attempts to develop a theoretical framework that could explain the different levels of involvement in crime by ethnic groups and by individual juveniles in those groups. The framework attempts to connect social control theory, specific aspects of strain theory, new developments in the ecological approach to crime, and the possible impact of cultural and individual variables. The article assumes that the fundamental causal processes that lead to criminality and other negative behavior are independent of country of origin, ethnic group, and country of residence. It further assumes that differences in crime between ethnic groups are linked to group differences in socioeconomic integration into the host country and to culture-related variables. It links differences in the criminality of youth within ethnic groups to differences in commitment to social institutions such as family and school and to differences in accepting specific Western norms and values. Notes, table, figure, references