Structure and Development of Juvenile Violence in Germany

• NCJ Number: 192699
• Author(s): Christian Pfeiffer; Peter Wetzels
• Date Published: June 1999
• Length: 32 pages
• Sale Source: Kriminologisches Forschunginstitut Niedersachensen
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Germany (Unified)
• Note: From Fors Chungsberichte, N 76; downloaded January 23, 2002.

Annotation

This paper presents and reviews the main findings of three extensive quantitative studies on juvenile violence in Germany.

Abstract

The three studies were conducted in 1998 by the Criminological Institute of Lower Saxony. One study involved a representative survey of the violence experienced and practiced by youth of ninth-grade school age. The second study consisted of an analysis of all files of the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Hanover for the years 1990, 1993, and 1996, so as to identify all persons under the age of 21 who were registered by the police as suspects for violent crimes. The third study examined the development of crime in the same age group based on statistics kept by the police, DPP's, and the courts at Federal and regional levels. Based on the findings of these three studies, this paper elaborates on eight propositions. First, the increase in juvenile violence is less pronounced than police data suggest. Second, juvenile acts of violence recorded by the police have not become more brutal in recent years; the average severity of the offenses has decreased. Third, the increase in juvenile violence is closely related to the fact that German society is becoming more and more of a winner/loser culture; young immigrants in particular are socially marginalized as a result. Fourth, the increase in juvenile violence is attributable for the most part to youths from immigrant families who have not been socially integrated. Fifth, juveniles who have been severely beaten or abused by their parents as children or in their youth are much more likely to be violent than those who have not been so abused. Sixth, juvenile violence is a male phenomenon. Seventh, the risk of juvenile violence increases considerably when at least two of the following factors coincide: experience of intrafamilial violence, the family is severely underprivileged, and the youth has poor prospects due to a low educational level. Eighth, youth who have been victims of intrafamilial violence are significantly more likely to join groups of others their age who favor violence; the bulk of youth violence is attributable to such deviant groups. Suggestions for responding to these findings are offered. 19 figures and a 19-item bibliography