Lecture on Youth Crime Problem by Professor Steve Case

Overview

• Youth crime is often perceived as a new and growing problem, but this perception is a social construction.
• The problem has been created, manipulated, and exaggerated by interest groups such as politicians, media, and some academics.
• This lecture takes us through a five-stage journey to understand the creation and perpetuation of the youth crime problem.

Key Themes

1. Creation of Youth as a Category

• Historical Context: 200 years ago, the concept of youth didn't exist in the UK.
  • Society only recognized children and adults.
  • Children became more visible due to changes in labor laws post-Industrial Revolution.
• Ambivalence in Perception:
  • Children were seen as both threatening and innocent.
  • Society created the category of 'youth' to resolve these conflicting views.
  • Youth/adolescents were seen as experiencing chaos and upheaval, making them appear threatening.

2. Creation and Exaggeration of Youth Crime

• Development of Crime Statistics:
  • Mid-19th century saw the creation of official crime statistics, which began to categorize crime by age.
• Legislation and Special Attention:
  • Youth crime became a distinct category, leading to tailored responses like reformatory schools and juvenile courts.
  • Media and government attention led to the criminalization of youths and rising crime statistics.
• Self-fulfilling Prophecy:
  • Continuous attention led to the perception of youth crime as a persistent social problem.

3. Maintenance and Perpetuation of the Problem

• Role of Government:
  • Government defines youth crime parameters and age of criminal responsibility.
  • Policies artificially extend the category of youth crime.
• Public Perception:
  • Youths seen as out of control, causing public fear.
  • Government action reinforces their control over the problem, winning public confidence.

4. Illusion of Control by Government and Media

• Collaboration for Illusion Maintenance:
  • Government collaborates with media and academics to exaggerate the problem.
  • Misrepresentation serves interests such as selling newspapers and maintaining public dependency.

5. Proposed Solution

• Reframing Youth Crime:
  • Recognize youth crime as a manifestation of deeper social issues like poverty and unmet needs.
  • Shift perspective: youth crime is not the problem; focus on real problems.
• Positive Youth Justice Model:
  • Treat children who break the law primarily as children.
  • Involve children in solutions, and avoid stigmatization.
  • Promote positive outcomes and behaviors for young people.

Conclusion

• The lecture emphasizes rethinking youth crime as a socially constructed issue that serves certain interests.
• Solutions lie in addressing underlying social problems and adopting child-centered approaches.
• A shift in practice and perspective can lead to better outcomes and a more accurate understanding of youth crime.