Responding to juvenile delinquency in Lithuanian schools: between public pressure, helplessness and the best interests of the child

• In Event: Tensions and contradictions in modern juvenile justice: participation, child rights and institutional responses

Abstract

School is not only an important factor in the socialisation of young people but also a space where boundaries are tested and the orderly system is confronted. In Lithuania, the HBSC survey reveals that the country has one of the highest rates of bullying globally and that pupils' academic achievements are closely associated with their social status. As demonstrated by a multitude of case studies, educational institutions employ a variety of responses to delinquent behaviour. For instance, some schools have implemented bullying and violence prevention initiatives, while others have adopted simulated projects. Some schools engage police, utilising canines and conducting searches of students' belongings in response to drug use, while others prioritise the cultivation of trust and resilience among students.
However, research in the fields of criminology and psychology has shown that norm-violating behaviour is a natural and integral part of a child's development, particularly during adolescence when they are testing limits and exploring their boundaries. On the other hand, delinquent behaviour often serves as a signal indicating deeper underlying needs in the child, which should be identified and addressed promptly. These insights are supported by studies (cf. United Nations, 1990; Enzmann et al., 2010; Loeber & Farrington, 2012). It's crucial to accurately identify and respond to delinquent behaviour stemming from complex developmental trauma, often linked to unsafe environments and risk factors (Kinniburgh et al., 2005; Thompson & Morris, 2016; Farrington, 2017).
In early 2025, an interdisciplinary team of 11 researchers at Vilnius University initiated a study funded by the Research Council of Lithuania. The objective of the study was to investigate how and why Lithuanian schools react to juvenile delinquency. The research approach employed was a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods.

Author

• Gintautas Sakalauskas, Vilnius University