NCJ Number
152598
Journal
Current Issues in Criminal Justice Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (November 1992) Pages: 110-116
Date Published
1992
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This analysis of research findings regarding the relationship between youth unemployment and juvenile delinquency concludes that youth unemployment is one factor in crime causation as well as victimization in Australia and that a strong partnership is needed between schools, workplaces, and training providers to open up youth employment opportunities.
Abstract
Although the research indicates that no single factor causes crime, unemployment clearly has a significant role in generating crime in Australia, North America, and other areas. Braithwaite has proposed that white-collar crime arises because certain people have great wealth and power, whereas crime in the streets arises when certain other people have very little wealth or power. Considerable data also suggest that homeless and unemployed youth are increasingly likely to be victims of violence. South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, and soon Queensland have established community crime prevention programs to reduce the link between youth and crime. However, more basic changes are needed in the relationship between education and business in Australia, particularly for young unemployed males, who are particularly likely to channel their marginal status into crime. Footnotes