Child and Youth Misbehaviour In South Africa (PDF)

While crime on the whole is a matter of grave concern in South Africa, crime involving juvenile offenders is particularly so and it is on the rise. Sexual offences among children are occurring more frequently, and children are increasingly being trafficked and used as sex workers or slaves. Despite specific laws having been promulgated to protect them, sexual abuse of children and neglect are rife, with many children growing up in a very unforgiving environment that never allows them the opportunity to develop morally according to the prescriptions of a democratic society. Child and youth misbehaviour in South Africa addresses the complex and poorly understood phenomenon of juvenile misbehaviour. It discusses and analyses various theories on the nature and causes of aberrant behaviour, and assesses them critically with regard to their applicability to South Africa.In order to understand the youth misbehaviour problem as it manifests in this country, it is essential that the position of youths be understood. Solutions may be found by considering the following:The difficulty in demarcating the position of children in South AfricaThe local risk factors associated with juvenile misbehaviourThe effective processing and treatment of youthful offenders by the South African criminal justice systemPreventive measures based on constitutional guidelinesChild and youth misbehaviour in South Africa is aimed at enabling both practitioners and students to address the plight of the South African youth in a constructive way and so become part of creating a safer South Africa for its people.