Violence Around the World

   Violence involving teens is a world-wide problem. Sometimes there is the perception that teen violence only happens in the United States. In reality there are very few countries that have a culture that is not being affected by problems that lead teens to act out in violent ways. Each country has their own perception of the problem, different trends happening, and individual responses.
    One thing that was obvious was that countries with a strong family culture and little political upheaval had fewer problems with teen violence. It seems that political and culture problems lead to more problems at all levels of society.

In Canada:

The perception

• Each year the behavior of children gets worse. In reality, the murder rate has stayed about the same even though people think it is worse.
• Around Eastern Canada the worry about violence is mainly towards young African Americans.

• Younger kids are more likely to commit property crimes.
• In 1990 the number of crimes committed by youths was 188,808
• Schools are more willing to report crimes so the rate seems higher.

• The government is working on making laws stricter because people are afraid.
• In 1992 the maximum sentence for murder as a juvenile was increased from 3 to 5 years. 
• Ages 16 and 17 can now be moved to adult court.
• Stricter rules are being looked at.
  

In Germany:

• Youth delinquency in the Federal Republic of Germany is very high.
• Belief that many male youth belong to extremist groups and cults.

• Rehabilitation programs for juvenile offenders were greatly lacking.
• Many acts of violence in Germany are against foreigners and often politically motivated.
• Approximately 70% of offenses against foreigners were committed by juveniles.

• Germany believes in prevention, not punishment. 
• The most money and effort at change is put into education and protections within family.

In Jamaica:

• Lack of educational and job opportunities mean only half of the poorest people finish school.
• Jamaica has the highest rate of murders in the world; population is 2.5 million-1,000 murders per year.
• Drugs prevalent-with more drugs comes more guns and more violence.
• Couriers are transporting drugs to the United States, teens can be paid up to $2,000 per trip.
• Lots of wealthy tourists are temptations for poor people without jobs.

• Jamaicans are working to improve education.
•  They are also working on improving the police force.One reason they are working to improve it is because out of every ten murders, there is only an arrest made in three of them.

In Thailand:

• Youth violence is not a major issue at this time.
• Thailand has a rural society with 60% of the population in small villages. 
• Youths can go to the city but easily come back home to an intact family and jobs.

• One of the few areas where violence occurs is in school rivalries especially vocational technical schools in Bangkok
• Drug use is a problem for some people, but not many.
• First juvenile court in Bangkok opened 45 years ago.
• Strong family ties and values seem to be keeping the culture.
  

In South Africa

• In 1948 the White Nationalist Party came into power, their racial discrimination policy Apartheid meant whites had all the power and money.
• Apartheid was removed in 1994 but blacks still have little power and money.
• Violence done for liberation is becoming a way of life.
• There are many social problems from all the years of oppression.

• Prisons are overpopulated, they have a heavy use of punishment instead of social programs.
• It will take many years and lots of money to improve jobs, education, and family structure.
• Police and court systems are still corrupt from years of oppression.