Youth crime in Venezuela

Throughout the world, violence is becoming an urgent challenge and a matter of great economic, social, political, cultural and governmental importance. Crime and violence adversely affect economic and social development; In addition they reinforce the social exclusion and the poverty, breaking the citizenship and the secutity of the inhabitants of a nation. It is important to note that although socio-economic conditions vary from one country to another, there are a number of internal and external factors that can be commonly associated with the high levels of violence and deliquency in which many young people are involved.

Persistent poverty, inequality, political violence, inadequate social services, lack of family support, disintegration of families, failures in education, economic crisis, lack of values and authority figures in the Hossenholds are factors that contribute to the institution of the young offender. Added to this is the expansion of drug use, trafficking, and consumption from an early age; As well as the availability and access to arms.

In addition, young people, particularly those living in low-icnome families and in slums, experience trauma and stress related to poor living conditions, overcrowding, domestic violence, lack of quality education, The lack of recreational areas and facilities and, in many cases, discrimination tends to be concentrated at the base of the social pyramid, leading to a high number of crimes committed.

-Bandini, Tulio. Criminology and social policy. Prospettive in the field of delinquenza colposa and della deviamza minorile. In: Criminological Theories on Jevenile delinquency. Vasquez, Carlos. Editorial Colex. Madrid, 2003. Page, 63.

-Burgos, Ernesto. Teenage crime. Clinical Criminology. Paris, 1991. Page, 25.