Youth Crime and Media Influence
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Questions and Answers

What is the significance of the Young Offenders Act (YOA) in relation to youth crime?

The YOA was a comprehensive review of the juvenile justice system that was passed in 2003 to replace the Young Offenders Act, which had been revised multiple times due to public concerns about leniency in the juvenile justice system.

What are two contrasting perspectives on youth crime often highlighted by the media?

  • Individual Responsibility and Systemic Factors
  • Youth Advocate and Law and Order (correct)
  • Preventative Measures and Punitive Justice
  • Social Reforms and Moral Panic
  • What are some of the main arguments made by youth advocates regarding youth crime?

    Youth advocates argue that youth crime is often exaggerated and misrepresented by the media, suggesting society is to blame rather than individuals. They push for policies addressing poverty and unemployment as root causes of youth crime, rather than supporting punitive justice reforms.

    What are some of the main arguments made by those advocating for a "Law and Order" approach to youth crime?

    <p>Those supporting a &quot;Law and Order&quot; approach often view youth accused of crimes as a threat to society. They often criticize the youth criminal justice system for being too lenient and argue that reduced custodial sentences and more leniency give youth too many chances, contributing to increased crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a common factor that emerged as a perceived cause of youth crime according to the text?

    <p>High rates of childhood obesity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Victorian Era emphasized morality as a major factor contributing to youth crime.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Juvenile Delinquents Act (JDA) in Canada's history of addressing youth crime?

    <p>The JDA, implemented in 1908, marked the establishment of a separate justice system for youth in Canada. It was based on a welfare model, aimed at rehabilitation and changing kids. This shift reflected a broader social concern for the well-being of children in the early 20th century.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central argument made by advocates for the YCJA (Youth Criminal Justice Act) in relation to the act's effectiveness?

    <p>Advocates for the YCJA argue that the act itself is not the problem. Instead, they maintain that the real issue is a lack of resources and support from communities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key principle of juvenile justice emphasized by the YOA (Youth Offenders Act)?

    <p>A key principle emphasized by the YOA is accountability. It mandates that young offenders take responsibility for their actions, acknowledging that they have limited accountability compared to adults.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the core difference between the approach of the JDA (Juvenile Delinquents Act) and the YOA (Youth Offenders Act) regarding youth?

    <p>The JDA viewed delinquents as misguided children in need of help and supervision, while the YOA treated them as dependent individuals who require support, guidance, and discipline to get back on the right path.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main principle behind the "crime-control perspective" on youth crime as outlined by the YCJA?

    <p>The crime-control model emphasizes a shift away from alternative measures and toward a more structured diversion system with greater discretion for professionals. This includes promoting reparation and involvement of communities, victims, and parents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The UN Committee's review of Canada's children's rights criticized the Conservative government's crime-control approach for being too lenient.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a commonly used source of information for measuring youth crime?

    <p>Government budgets (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the limitations of relying solely on police statistics as a measure of youth crime?

    <p>Police statistics often fail to capture the full scope of youth crime, as they only represent instances that are reported to and dealt with by the police. They may not accurately reflect the overall prevalence of youth crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of criminal activity is the most commonly reported among youth?

    <p>Property crime (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Victimization surveys are generally considered more reliable than self-report surveys when measuring youth crime.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the "telescopic effect" as it pertains to victimization surveys, and why is it a concern?

    <p>The &quot;telescopic effect&quot; refers to a situation where victims accurately remember an event but may not recall the time period accurately, making it difficult to accurately measure the number of offenders involved. This can lead to an inaccurate assessment of the true number of offenders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Bartner, why may official statistics not provide a true representation of youth involvement in serious crime?

    <p>Bartner argues that official statistics may not accurately represent the involvement of all youth in serious crime because of the tendency for a disproportionate number of minorities and individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds to be included in these statistics, potentially influenced by biases in policing and sentencing practices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Bartner suggests that the belief that middle-class youth are less likely to commit serious crimes can lead to more lenient treatment from police.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The text suggests that overall crime levels have been steadily increasing in recent years.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the main arguments made against the claim that the YCJA (Youth Criminal Justice Act) is responsible for increasing crime rates?

    <p>The text suggests that increases in crime under the YOA and YCJA are likely due to changes in legislation rather than an actual increase in offending behavior among youth. It emphasizes that crime rates are more closely related to changes in law than to shifts in youth behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text describe the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of youth crime?

    <p>The text posits that the media plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions of youth crime, often presenting youth as a dangerous class that is out of control. This can contribute to a sense of moral panic and influence policy decisions based on fear and stereotypes rather than actual crime statistics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Youth Crime

    Criminal behavior exhibited by individuals typically aged 12-17.

    School Violence

    Acts of violence that occur on school property or during school events.

    Media Influence

    The role of media in shaping public perception of youth crime.

    Young Offenders Act (YOA)

    Canadian legislation passed in 1984 that governed youth criminal behavior.

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    Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)

    2003 legislation to reform the youth justice system in Canada, focusing on rehabilitation.

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    Swarming

    A group of young people acting in a disorganized and aggressive manner.

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    Joyriding

    The act of stealing a vehicle for pleasure but not intending to keep it.

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    Youth Advocate

    An individual supporting the view that youth crime is overstated and societal issues must be addressed.

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    Law and Order Perspective

    A viewpoint that youth offenders are threats and demand stricter policies.

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    Nunn Commission

    An inquiry that criticized the YCJA for being too lenient towards youth offenders.

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    Causes of Youth Crime

    Factors that contribute to youth criminal behavior, including poverty and family issues.

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    Victorian Public Issue

    In the 1800s, youth crime was often linked to morality and blamed on poor people.

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    Juvenile Delinquents Act (JDA)

    1908 legislation providing legal status to young offenders in Canada, emphasizing rehabilitation.

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    Parens Patriae

    A principle allowing the state to act as the parent for juvenile offenders.

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    Status Offences

    Acts that are only considered crimes due to the age of the offender, like skipping school.

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    Shift to Crime-Control Model

    The movement in the youth justice system towards harsher penalties and strict policies.

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    Restorative Justice

    An approach focusing on repairing the harm caused by crime through cooperation among affected parties.

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    Children's Rights

    Principles promoting the protection and well-being of children, internationally recognized by treaties.

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    Public Panic

    A societal reaction to perceived youth crime threats, often exaggerated by media.

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    Measuring Youth Crime

    The process of assessing youth criminal activity through various sources like media, police, and surveys.

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    Self-Report Surveys

    Surveys where individuals disclose their own criminal behaviors, often revealing more than police data.

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    Victimization Surveys

    Surveys asking individuals about their experiences as victims of crime to assess overall crime prevalence.

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    Profiling Youth Crime

    Analyzing the types and patterns of crimes committed by youth, with property crime as the most common.

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    Validity and Reliability

    Measures of how accurately a study reflects reality (validity) and how consistently it yields results (reliability).

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    Penal Populism

    Policies driven by public pressure and media fear rather than empirical evidence.

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    Crime Rates and Legislation

    Changes in youth crime rates are often more related to new laws than changes in youth behavior.

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    Youth Responsibility

    The YOA introduced accountability for youth, acknowledging their limited responsibility compared to adults.

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    Provincial Age Limits

    Different provinces in Canada set their own age limits for youth offenders under juvenile legislation.

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    Study Notes

    Public Issue: Youth Crime

    • Youth crime has been a significant public concern, especially in the 21st century, with school violence and violent youth behavior frequently reported in Canadian newspapers.
    • However, the media's focus on youth violence disproportionately emphasizes crime compared to its actual prevalence amongst young people.

    Reasons for Media Bias

    • Politics: Media coverage of youth crime may be influenced by political motivations, like generating public concern and increasing political pressure on politicians.
      • The media may also seek to maximize profit and attract public attention.
    • Public narrative: Focusing on youth crime can be a more attractive news story than focusing on other social issues such as mental health.

    Government Response

    • Public concern regarding the leniency of the Young Offenders Act (YOA) led to revisions and eventual replacement by the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) in 2003.
    • This act was intended to address youth crime concerns, but media coverage continued to focus on negative reports of youth crime.
    • A system review was designed for better youth crime handling

    Media and Politics of Youth Crime

    • Media coverage of youth crime often highlights negative and disturbing stories, emphasizing aspects like gang activity, joyriding and property damage.
    • Stories concerning crime disproportionate to the severity and volume of violent crimes committed.

    Two Opposing Views

    • Youth Advocates: They focus on systemic issues contributing to youth crime and advocate for solutions like addressing poverty and unemployment, arguing for a more empathetic view on youth crime
    • Law and Order proponents: They portray youth as a threat to society, emphasizing the need for stricter punishments and a tougher approach to crime.

    Nunn Commission of Inquiry

    • Youth advocates argued that the YCJA itself wasn't the problem, but rather a lack of resource and support in the community that can't keep up with the crime wave.
    • Law and Order advocates criticized the YCJA for being too lenient.

    Causes of Youth Crime: An Era of Control and Punishment

    • Parents: Issues in parenting highlighted as a possible contributing factor
    • Fur Trade: In early history, the fur trade attracted young people which was rife with lawlessness, fraud, theft, and violence
    • Immigration: Immigrant communities often faced poverty and hardship and faced considerable struggles and death rates during their migration
    • Poverty: Poverty is identified as a significant factor contributing to youth crime in some perspectives.

    Causes and Solutions: An Era of Social Reform

    • The 1850-1908 social reform movement focused on rehabilitation and individual change.
    • Belief that the causes of youth crime could be addressed through better social programs and greater compassion, instead of punishment.
    • Reform movements in the 20th Century also influenced the development of juvenile courts in Canada, aiming to treat youth delinquency differently from adult crime.

    Canadian Child Servers

    • Victorian-era child-welfare advocates emphasized protecting children from criminal influences.
    • Focus on child welfare programs and intervention aimed at preventing youth crime through social support and rehabilitation.

    Myths and Facts About Youth Crime

    • The notion that youth crime has remained consistent throughout Canada's history is a myth, as crime rates can fluctuate depending on policy shifts and social attitudes.

    Creating a Juvenile Justice System: Then and Now

    • Youth crime was a major concern during the early development of Canada's juvenile justice system.
    • There was often controversy about the best approach to youth offending, with different groups advocating for alternative approaches to crime and punishment compared to the status quo.

    Measuring Youth Crime: The Facts of Youth Crime

    • Media often presents inaccurate information about youth crime, lacking context that can fuel fear.
    • Police statistics, court records, and self-report surveys can also be problematic. These sources can be incomplete, biased, and unreliable.
    • Issues exist in the validity of the measures used to collect and analyze data concerning youth offending.

    Comparing the JDA and the YOA/YCJA

    • The Canadian Juvenile Delinquents Act (JDA) emphasized rehabilitation based on "parens patriae" concept.
    • The Juvenile Justice Act (YCJA) shifted towards a more crime-control approach, incorporating restorative justice principles and a stronger focus on accountability to deter further crime from youth, and to reform existing youth criminal behaviors.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the complex relationship between youth crime and media reporting in Canada. It addresses the reasons behind media bias towards violent youth behavior and discusses the implications on public perception and government policy. Additionally, it covers the changes in legislation impacting youth offenders.

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