NCJ Number
54120
Journal
BRA (BROTTSFOREBYGGANDE RADET) - APROPA Issue: 3 Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (1978) Pages: 13-21
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
JUVENILE CRIME IS ESCALATING IN SWEDEN, AND SOCIETY IS REACTING BY STEPPING UP PHYSICAL SECURITY MEASURES INSTEAD OF ATTACKING THE ROOTS OF THE PROBLEM--A GROWING SOCIETAL MALAISE RESULTING FROM CAPITALISM.
Abstract
SWEDEN CAN NO LONGER NUMBER ITSELF AMONG THE WORLD'S MOST SECURE NATIONS, SUCH AS THOSE COUNTRIES IN EASTERN EUROPE, BUT MUST REALIZE THAT WHEN CRIME IS THE COMMON DENOMINATOR, THE COUNTRY IS MORE SIMILAR TO THE U.S. OR THE PHILIPPINES. ALONG WITH THE INCREASE IN JUVENILE CRIME AND CRIME IN GENERAL IS THE CITIZENRY'S PROPENSITY TO RETRACT FROM RESPONSIBILITIES SUCH AS CRIME REPORTING AND TO BECOME LAX IN OBEYING CIVIL LAWS SUCH AS TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, A PRACTICE WHICH UNDERMINES THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE OF SOCIAL CONTROL. THE PRESENT PROBLEMS ARE COMPLICATED BY AND REFLECTED IN INDUSTRIALIZATION, SEPARATION OF SCHOOL AND WORK FROM HOME, SEGREGATION AND CLASS DIFFERENCES, URBANIZATION, AND LABELING OF DEVIANTS. TO TURN THIS SITUATION AROUND, SOCIETY MUST BE RESTRUCTURED FROM THE GROUND UP. CAPITALISM WITH ITS EMPHASIS ON PERSONAL AND EGOTISTICAL ACHIEVEMENT MUST BE REPLACED WITH A TOTALLY SOCIALISTIC SOCIETY FOCUSING ON SOLIDARITY AMONG INHABITANTS. THE ISSUE MUST BE NOT WHAT SANCTIONS SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON OFFENDERS AND WHY PERSONS DEVIATE FROM NORMS, BUT WHY PERSONS ARE LAWABIDING. LAWS SHOULD BE IN CLOSE UNIFORMITY WITH SOCIAL NORMS AND THESE SOCIAL NORMS SHOULD BE TAUGHT AT THE FAMILY LEVEL. ALL ADULTS SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH THE LAW AND SOCIAL NORMS, ADHERE TO THEM, INSTRUCT THEIR CHILDREN IN THE PURPOSE OF SUCH NORMS, AND GUIDE THE YOUNG INTO BECOMING LAWABIDING CITIZENS. --IN SWEDISH. (DAG)