Restorative vs Punitive Approach. Eight Fundamental Principles of Juvenile Delinquency Prevention

Abstract

The chapter will identify and analyse juvenile delinquency prevention’s fundamental principles since every younger generation is faced with their own rules and dynamic lifestyle. Having in mind the “four D’s” model: diversion, de-judicialization, de-institutionalization and due process, the elaboration and analyzes will contribute toward defining the role and assessing the effectiveness of social, family, educational and other assumptions for the protection of children. The focus will be directed toward the role of the poverty, education, free time and peers influence toward juvenile delinquency. Some of those factors shall be addressed as the primary roots and reasons for the manifestation of youth’s antisocial behavior.

An important issue regarding juvenile delinquency is the stereotype that only children from divorced marriages, one-parent families and children without parental care, manifest troubled behavior, so the article will offer data and arguments toward avoiding this stereotype when analyzing juvenile delinquency. There is a need to emphasize that the Republic of North Macedonia is defined as welfare and modern country where humane and inclusive social development principles are implemented. At the same time, there is a necessity for taking care of the socially vulnerable categories, including the children at risk. Social policy, which covers all aspects of child protection, is an unavoidable part of the juvenile delinquency protection and prevention policies. National strategic documents regarding the prevention of juvenile delinquency will be, also analyzed. Within the chapter, there will be available statistical data, trends, and rates relevant to the topic of interest.