En tematisk analys av sänkt straffbarhetsålder : Hur legitimeras förslaget?

Sammanfattning

The aim of the study was to analyze how the proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility was constructed and legitimized in Swedish political and institutional documents, and what notions of children emerged in relation to responsibility, maturity and crime. The study applied a qualitative approach based on parliamentary motions, consultation responses, an opinion article and a legal advice referral. The material was analyzed using thematic analysis to identify themes and interpreted in relation to previous research and symbolic punishment theory as well as labeling theory. The results showed that crime was constructed as an urgent societal problem, legitimizing the proposal. Punishment was justified through civil protection, victims’ rights and legal legitimacy. A tension emerged between punishment as a solution and as ineffective. Children were portrayed as both responsible actors and vulnerable individuals. The study indicated that legitimation relied mainly on symbolic and moral arguments rather than empirical evidence.