NCJ Number
128975
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1990) Pages: 259-268
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
In January 1985 truancy was removed as a welfare offense in the State of New South Wales. Although not yet proclaimed, truancy has just been reinstituted as an offense in New South Wales under P 5 of the Education Reform Act 1990. Thus arguments about the social effects of criminalizing truancy are urgent and necessary. Using a case history methodology, this article maps the relations between female truants, school authorities and juvenile justice agencies which arise from the criminalization of truancy.
Abstract
I then attempt to analyze the effects of such disciplinary processes, not only on the young people so affected, but also on their families and communities. I argue that court action for truancy has its most disproportionate and detrimental impact precisely on those students already most disadvantaged by the schooling system; namely on students from Aboriginal communities and housing commission areas. 4 notes and 27 references (Author abstract)