Less social bonding, more problems?: An international perspective on the behaviour of (migrant) youth

Abstract

There are several signs that many young people with a migrant background feel less attachment to their social environment and institutions (Pels, 2008; Van Bergen, Feddes, Doosje, & Pels, 2015). This marginalized position is often seen as a possible explanation for their over-representation in problem behaviours such as crime, drug use or school dropouts (Junger-Tas, Steketee & Moll, 2008; Junger-Tas et al., 2010). Migrant families live more often in disadvantaged residential areas because of their high levels of unemployment and economic deprivation. Neighbourhoods with poor living standards, poverty and population instability suffer from high crime levels. Residential turnover weakens social bonds and social control in these districts (De Winter, Horjus, & van Dijken, 2009; Shaw & McKay, 1942). According to social bonding or control theory (Hirschi, 1969), weakened social bonds are considered the main cause of criminal behaviour.