Essay on Juvenile Delinquency in Norway and Turkey !
The problem of juvenile delinquency still remains a paradox despite unbriddled efforts on the part of penologists to curb this menace. Several causes such as poverty, slum-dwelling, neglect or partiality by parents towards their children, lack of parental care or social security may be attributed to the unprecedented increase in juvenile delinquency.
The situation in European countries in this regard is, however, not so alarming as in United States where the problem has touched its climax in recent years. Ms. Sophia M. Robinson in her learned article entitled “Why Juvenile Delinquency Programmes are Ineffective” has aptly pinpointed the causes of the failure of preventive efforts in suppressing juvenile delinquency in United States.
Norway:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
In Norway, the criminal cases of young offenders between the age group of 14 and 18 are referred to the Municipal Juvenile Welfare Committee consisting of five members. This Committee functions to suggest adequate measures with regard to juvenile delinquents. The enactment of Child Welfare Act, 1953, however, provides that delinquent child should be allowed to stay at home and the Juvenile Welfare Committee should take preventive steps by visiting the delinquent’s home at frequent intervals and suggest effective measures to keep the offender away from criminality. There is greater emphasis on medico-psychological method of treatment of young delinquents in recent years.
Turkey:
Turkey has shown keen interest in juvenile justice. Even though rate of juvenile delinquency is not very high, slightest rise in child delinquency excites concern in that country because of the stronghold of the family institution.
The eminent Turkish scholar Nephati Saran dealt with socio-cultural pecularities of the children under 18 years of age who were involved with the police of Istambul during 1956-68. He observed that thefts, violence, sexual offences, smuggling and pick pocketing were the most prevalent crimes and delinquency was concentrated in the age group of 16 to 18 years. The main causes of delinquency were crowded families, poor housing, and unemployment and culture conflict.