Determinants of public acceptance of specified juveniles whose names were reported: To what extent is it believed that they deserve the consequences of such reporting?

Abstract

Against the background of the amended Juvenile Act of 2021, this study examined the determinants of the public acceptance of specified juveniles (aged 18 and 19) whose names were reported. We established a model consisting of the following four variables, which were predicted to be related to the acceptance of such specified juveniles: approval of the negative consequences of real-name reporting, belief in a just world, emphasis on forgiveness, and belief in redeemability. This model was examined using the conditions of forcible sexual intercourse and property destruction. Analysis of data obtained from 282 respondents indicated that for property destruction, belief in redeemability had a positive effect on the acceptance of such specified juveniles. In addition, for both forcible sexual intercourse and property destruction, the data relating to emphasis on forgiveness indicated that the respondents did not approve of the negative consequences of real-name reporting for these specified juveniles. These findings suggest that belief in redeemability and emphasis on forgiveness may promote positive attitudes toward specified juveniles whose names have been reported.