Juvenile crime has been identified as a key problem in the Western world and a source of anxiety. This unit examines how far juvenile crime should be perceived as a special issue and seeks to explore the relationship of juvenile crime to factors such as employment, education and familial dysfunction. The unit also explores the competing philosophical approaches to juvenile justice including the 'welfare' model, the 'punishment' model and alternative approaches such as restorative justice and family group conferencing. It explores the way the media treats juvenile crime related issues (including the creation of 'moral panics'). The specific characteristics of youth crime are also analysed.... -- Course Website
