Book Reviews
| Author | Rose Parkes |
| Pages | 77-86 |
77
BOOK REVIEWS
Edited by Rose Parkes, De Montfort University
A NEW RESPONSE TO YOUTH CRIME
Smith, J. D. (ed.) (2012). Abingdon, Routledge, 442pp. pbk. £27.99, ISBN 978-1-84392-
754-9
This substantial and wide-ranging book sets out to provide a framework of evidence and
analysis to support the work of the Independent Commission on Youth Crime and
Antisocial Behaviour. Whilst highlighting the shortcomings of the existing systems, the
emphasis i s on supporting the effort to create viable, realistic and effective alternatives
which are individualised, needs-led and ultimately more just.
In Chapter 2, David Smith offers a clear and very accessible piece which examines
changing patterns of youth from the post war years to the pr esent day. He starts by
looking at the impact of population changes, immigration, life expectancy, education,
employment and poverty. He then explores changes in maturity rates, sexual activity and
pregnancy before focussing on young peoples` living arrangements and homelessness.
Following an informative explora tion of youth culture and the impact of advertising and
marketing, Smith moves on to con tend that a ‘widening of horizons’ has perhaps been t he
most significant change for young people. For the author, this widening of horizons
encompasses the expansion of education, cheap overseas travel and the expansion of th e
media and later the breathtaking and complex expansion of the ‘new media’. Smith
suggests that the changes that he outlines in this chapter ar e very much linked to trends in
crime and that changes in young peoples` transitions and social structures are pivotal to
explaining youth crime.
In Chapter 3, Larissa Pople and David Smith look at trends in crime and the political debate,
media coverage and public anxiety around youth crime. Chapters 4 and 5 focus on
responses to youth crime, the ‘creation’ of the pheno menon of antisocial behaviour,
‘moral panic’ and politicians ‘talking tough’. Chapter 6 examines the causes of offendin g
and anti social behaviour and chapter 7 reviews progress in the development and testing
of strategies for preventing crime. The focus here is on sustainabl e solutions and the
capacity of communities to self-correct.
British Journal of Community Justice
©2013 Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield
ISSN 1475-0279
Vol. 10(3):77-86
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