Research by the University of Cologne on the causes of juvenile delinquency comes to alarming conclusions. The rise in violence is shocking. More violent parents, increased stress, less self-control and less fear of punishment: According to researchers at the University of Cologne, these are some of the possible reasons for the increase in child and youth delinquency.
A team of scientists from the University of Cologne, led by Professor Clemens Kronenberg, investigated the causes of the rise in violence among minors and came to alarming findings. 3,800 junior and senior high school students from 27 schools from three cities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia participated in the survey.
More stress, less self-control
Remarkably, according to the research, psychological stress increased significantly among students, especially girls, while at the same time their self-control decreased. Almost half of the girls reported experiencing anxiety and depression. Thus, the number of delinquent girls has increased more than that of boys, even though girls still commit far fewer crimes.
Researchers suspect domestic violence could be one of the causes of juvenile delinquency: Children and adolescents surveyed said they experienced significantly more violence in 2024 than juveniles did in 2015. Children who have been victims of violence are more likely to become violent themselves. At the same time, there is a decline in the moral inhibitions of children and adolescents. For example, many students do not feel bad about coming to school without having done their homework.
Less respect, less consequences
Indicative that in 2015, 68% of students responded positively to the question of whether teachers intervene in the event of a beating in the schoolyard. Last year, that figure dropped to just 39%.
Ten years ago, 35% agreed with the assessment that teachers and students respect each other and get along well with each other. In 2024, that percentage dropped to 20%. At the same time, students expressed less fear of being detected and facing the consequences of their delinquency.
Sources: dpa, Die Welt
Source :Skai
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