Open AccessSocio-demographic profile of juvenile delinquent in Serbia
Author(s) -
Jovana Čikić,
Ana Bilinovic-Rajacic,
Milena Kojic
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
zbornik matice srpske za društvene nauke/zbornik matice srpske za društvene nauke
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2406-0836
pISSN - 0352-5732
DOI - 10.2298/zmsdn2075419c
Subject(s) - juvenile delinquency , juvenile , psychology , criminology , demography , developmental psychology , sociology , genetics , biology
In this paper, there are analyzed data on socio-demographic characteristics of juvenile delinquents in Serbia. The evidence of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia have been used for this purpose. The reference period for the analysis is between 2005, after the adoption of the new Law on Juvenile Offenders (2005) and 2016. The analysis is based on two research questions: a) what the socio-demographic characteristics of juvenile delinquents are and b) whether the observed characteristics change within the analyzed period. Based on identified characteristics, the aim of the analysis is to point out the possible factors that shape the juvenile delinquency, its features and change in contemporary Serbian society. The analysis has shown: a) previously observed oscillating trend in total number of cases of juvenile delinquency, b) low ratio of juvenile delinquents in total number of offenders with the modest tendency of increase during the analyzed period and c) moderate changes towards diversity of offenses. According to the data, typical juvenile offender is male, with no formal elementary education and often a dropout. Among convicted, one third lives in single-parent families. Observed typical characteristics do not necessarily cause juvenile delinquency among youngsters but may have a warning effect, especially if they act simultaneously, superposing mutual impacts and generating new risks.