Social Class, Youth Crime and Youth Justice
B Goldson and J Muncie (eds.) Youth, Crime and Justice (2nd Edn). London: Sage, pp. 17-30
19 Pages Posted: 10 Sep 2015 Last revised: 17 Sep 2015
Date Written: 2015
Abstract
This chapter discusses the central place of class in understanding the reasons for the marginalisation and criminalisation of substantial sections of the youth population in the 'advanced' industrialised countries. Given the prevalence of neo-liberal ideologies, the huge changes taking place in basic class relationships due to globalisation, and the impoverishment of growing numbers of young people associated with these changes, it is important to understand the structural impacts of social inequality. A substantial part of the chapter, therefore, considers the making of an 'underclass', its key features and the response of the state to the growth in such 'surplus populations'. Youth justice systems have a major role to play in these social processes.
Keywords: Youth crime, Youth Justice, Social Class
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