NCJ Number
107977
Date Published
1985
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This report reviews progress achieved by various United Nations agencies concerned with juvenile delinquency research and discusses research difficulties in four areas: rural to urban migration; relationship among urbanization, drug abuse, and youth crime; use of leisure time and impact of mass media; and special problems of minority youth.
Abstract
First reviewed are the activities of three United Nations agencies involved in delinquency research; the Social Defense Research Institute, the Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders, the Latin American Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders, and the Helsinki Institute for Crime Prevention and Control. The report examines current trends in delinquency research, commenting on the paucity of research in developing countries. In summary, research on the relationship between urbanization and delinquency suggests a more pronounced impact on youth crime when urbanization is unplanned and exceeds the capacity of the government's socioeconomic structures and services. Other studies reviewed show a correlation, but not a unequivocal link, between drug abuse, youth crime, and urbanization. Research also failed to uncover a direct relationship between leisure time, mass media, and crime. Prevention strategies and suggestions for future research conclude the report. Footnotes.