Why youth crime is down - and how to keep it down - StraitsTimes - 16 Aug 2010

Fewer young people had brushes with the law in the first six months of this year than in the same period last year - 2,086 cases this year, down from 2,289. YouthInk writers give their take on why this is so, and how this trend can be sustained

Thanks to economic recovery

THE fall in youth crime could be attributed to the economy's recovery from last year's recession.

Young people are benefiting from more part-time and full-time jobs being created. They are more likely to secure proper part-time jobs for additional income, instead of trying to earn money as runners for loan sharks.

Their parents, too, do not have to spend as much time working overtime, and thus are not as stressed or worried about their jobs. They are able to spend more quality time with their children, meeting their emotional needs and imparting the correct moral values to them.

To help keep the lure of a quick buck at bay, the Government should make sure that financial aid to poor and needy families is not cut, and perhaps roll out more tax rebates for them. After all, in a recession, they are hit harder than anyone else, and so may be more susceptible to temptation.

Law Che Kun, 19, has a place to study chemical and biomolecular engineering at Nanyang Technological University

Awareness, awareness, awareness

MUCH has been said about how young people are easily influenced by negative values such as the need for quick cash in a materialistic society.

I guess it is time young people themselves took the initiative to be more aware of the consequences of crime. They can do so at school, perhaps by putting on skits about youth crime, or engaging former offenders to share their experiences. Meting out punishment publicly in schools works too.

In my secondary school, one student who stole from a stationery shop was made to apologise in front of the whole assembly. Such measures make young people realise the importance of being responsible, law-abiding citizens - and that they must pay a price for breaking the law.

Youth volunteers can also be engaged as leaders of neighbourhood watch groups, and they can be tasked with spreading awareness about security among their peers. Spending their time around good influences will ensure they are not led astray.

Jonathan Liautrakul, 20, has a place to read arts and social sciences at the National University of Singapore

Don't forget to teach the parents

THERE should be more programmes that reach out not only to young people, but also to their families.

Because parents and guardians play such an important role in managing and influencing young people, they should also be empowered to impart the right values to them, and taught how to deal with youth-related problems the moment they arise.

The perils of not creating better parents are many.

I have two friends who were once juvenile delinquents. One used to commit petty crimes such as stealing, while the other used to participate in loan shark-related activities.

The main reason they resorted to such crimes was the lack of care and concern shown by their parents, as they were too busy with their work and did not take the time to educate their children.

Parents should play their part by educating their children on the dangers of youth crimes, and by showing their utmost care and concern for them.

Julian Abraham Chua, 20, is a final-year business management student at Nanyang Polytechnic

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_566721.html