Comparative Juvenile Justice

Juvenile boys usually commit more crimes than teen girls.

Juveniles engage in the same types of behaviors, criminal and otherwise, despite demographic differences. However, Dr. Keith Wilmot, a professor with a doctorate in justice and law, notes that worldwide responses to these behaviors vary greatly.

Worldwide Problem

Worldwide, ages vary for the minimum age of criminal responsibility and prosecution. Countries also differentiate in tracking juvenile offenses and in the acts considered criminal.

Types

Four models place different emphases on juvenile justice. The welfare model emphasizes the child's welfare and relies heavily on child-care experts. The legalistic model applies the law first and treats the juvenile second and depends greatly on lawyers. The corporatist model combines a range of sanctions and bureaucrats administer justice. The participatory model focuses on restorative justice through the involvement of community members.

Statistics

Overall, boys commit more violent offenses and property crimes than girls. Juveniles ages 14 to 15 will most likely commit vandalism crimes. In all countries, the less parental supervision a juvenile receives, the more delinquent his behavior will be.

References

• Keith Wilmot: Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
• Keith Wilmot