NCJ Number
225837
Journal
New Directions for Youth Development Issue: 119 Dated: Fall 2008 Pages: 75-91
Date Published
2008
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this article is to examine English society’s fears of youth violence and antisocial behavior.
Abstract
Conclusions drawn from this examination include: (1) young people are often treated as passive and innocent objects in which their victimhood or propensity to antisocial behavior is taken for granted; (2) issues that touch young people, such as violence, crime, antisocial behavior, and victimhood, are often presented in an uncritical way; (3) some of the United Kingdom government’s methods of dealing with violence, antisocial behavior, and crime may have led to increased levels of pushing young people into situations of greater risk and labeling certain groups of young people so they are more likely to meet the criminal justice system at some point; and (4) there is the need to reconceptualize the “problem of youth” in ways that do not focus mostly on individual young people’s choices; rather seek political and economic choices that encourage a competitive nation in the labor market, the education system, housing, and communities that enhance social complementary. Young people are active and national agents who contribute to an understanding of society and their own behavior. This article explores young people’s fears of violence amid the backdrop of recent debates around youth policies and social cohesion. It examines the nature of social disintegration in the north of England and the social consequences of social changes at the beginning of the 21st century. It also focuses on the experiences of young people who are the subject of several social policies concerning antisocial behavior. 32 notes