Subterranean Sources of Juvenile Delinquency in China: Evidence from Birth Cohort Surveys

Abstract

This article examines possible reasons for the dramatic rise in Chinese juvenile delinquency rates that have occurred since the start of economic reform. The article focuses on the degree to which relatively recent modifications in the ideology and practice of Chinese communism have engendered new social pressures and strains on young people. Delinquents' social values are compared with those of non-delinquent youth, drawing heavily from data collected in a longitudinal birth cohort study. The dataset is assessed for evidence of subterranean values; i.e., subculture-based reflections of principles found within the dominant political culture; based on the theory that youthful deviance and delinquency in China are fueled primarily by the relatively rapid diffusion of oftencontradictory market-based precepts. The lingering impact of Maoism is also assessed, particularly with regard to incongruous ideological influences on youth.

Understanding the relationship between perceptions of crime seriousness and recommended punishment: an exploratory comparison of adults and adolescents

“…Hence, juvenile delinquency and juvenile delinquent subcultures are not a necessary outcome of this situation, although it may bring about its occurrence. Juvenile delinquency and juvenile criminal subcultures, therefore, are not related to any definite value system or set of attitudes, nor to special casual factors (Drissel, 2006).…”

“…A lower-class youth is practically guaranteed to find himself/herself at the bottom of the social status hierarchy by virtue of not having sufficient means to compete in the economic, social, and political arenas of scant material rewards, from which emerge power, esteem, and privilege. Often under such conditions crime provides a feasible option for developing feelings of proficiency, strong individuality, and self-esteem (Drissel, 2006). In this respect, Sellin (1938) asserted that criminality, in general, and juvenile delinquency, in particular, could be best understood on the basis of 'culture conflict.'…”

The Cost of Materialism in a Collectivistic Culture: Predicting Risky Behavior Engagement in Chinese Adolescents

“…In recent years, China has embraced a more capitalistic model that encourages the accumulation of personal wealth (Drissel, 2006;Kwong, 1994;Rojek, 2001). Such a shift in social values has resulted in younger generations embracing more individualistic values which may be coming into conflict with the collectivistic values of older generations (Chan, 2005;Deutsch, 2004;Drissel, 2006;Rosen, 2003;Yan, 1999).…”

“…Such a shift in social values has resulted in younger generations embracing more individualistic values which may be coming into conflict with the collectivistic values of older generations (Chan, 2005;Deutsch, 2004;Drissel, 2006;Rosen, 2003;Yan, 1999). Recent research suggests that Chinese adolescents may be endorsing higher levels of materialism (Chan, 2005;Pollay, Tse, & Wang, 1990;Rosen, 2003).…”

A New Perspective for Delinquency

“…A lower-class youth is practically guaranteed to find himself or herself at the bottom of the social status hierarchy by virtue of not having sufficient means to compete in the economic, social, educational, and political arenas of scant material rewards, from which emerge power, esteem, and privilege. Often under such conditions, crime provides a feasible option for developing feelings of proficiency, strong individuality, and self-esteem (Drissel, 2006). 1 In this respect, Sellin (1938) asserted that criminality in general and juvenile delinquency in particular could be best understood on the basis of culture conflict.…”