Self-Reported Juvenile Delinquency in England and Wales, the Netherlands and Spain

• NCJ Number: 205182
• Author(s): Rosemary Barberet; Benjamin Bowling; Josine Junger-Tas; Cristina Rechea-Alberola; John van Kesteren; Andrew Zurawan
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 183 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: United Nations European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI)
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Finland
• Note: Publication Series No. 43

Annotation

This report analyzes self-reported delinquency data for England and Wales, the Netherlands, and Spain as obtained in the 1990 International Survey on Self-reported Delinquency (ISRD).

Abstract

Following a description of the origin and execution of the ISRD, a chapter discusses the methodological problems in comparative studies of self-reports. A chapter then provides general information on the countries in the study and the juveniles in the study sample. It concludes that many of the contrasts between the three countries reflect north-south differences. The macro variables examined suggest that prosperity -- as indicated by unemployment rates, infant mortality rates, and gross national product -- is higher in England and Wales and the Netherlands than in Spain. Spain is also more rural than the other two countries and is a more homogeneous society. Six chapters focus on survey findings in the following areas: age, gender, and delinquent behavior; problem behavior and youth-related offenses; juvenile violence and disorder; property offenses; drug and alcohol use; and social reaction to antisocial and delinquent behavior. Findings from the analyses reveal broadly similar patterns and correlates in juvenile offending in these three European countries, set against different reactions by the countries' legal institutions. Social control theory, the core theory used in the study, suggests that the social bonding of youth to prosocial peers and adults, commitments, activities, and beliefs can be important factors in explaining and preventing juvenile offending. Structuring the opportunities available to youth can also reduce delinquent behavior and its harmful consequences. Because of the common patterns of delinquency in the three countries, this report recommends the creation of a European research and policy agenda for the prevention of juvenile offending and intervention with juvenile offenders. Such research would respect national differences in criminal justice systems and priorities. Extensive tables, 76 references, and appended ISRD questionnaire