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What is the significance of the Young Offenders Act (YOA) in relation to youth crime?
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?
What are two contrasting perspectives on youth crime often highlighted by the media?
What are some of the main arguments made by youth advocates regarding youth crime?
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?
What are some of the main arguments made by those advocating for a "Law and Order" approach to youth crime?
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Which of the following is NOT a common factor that emerged as a perceived cause of youth crime according to the text?
Which of the following is NOT a common factor that emerged as a perceived cause of youth crime according to the text?
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The Victorian Era emphasized morality as a major factor contributing to youth crime.
The Victorian Era emphasized morality as a major factor contributing to youth crime.
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What is the significance of the Juvenile Delinquents Act (JDA) in Canada's history of addressing youth crime?
What is the significance of the Juvenile Delinquents Act (JDA) in Canada's history of addressing youth crime?
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What is the central argument made by advocates for the YCJA (Youth Criminal Justice Act) in relation to the act's effectiveness?
What is the central argument made by advocates for the YCJA (Youth Criminal Justice Act) in relation to the act's effectiveness?
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What is the key principle of juvenile justice emphasized by the YOA (Youth Offenders Act)?
What is the key principle of juvenile justice emphasized by the YOA (Youth Offenders Act)?
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What is the core difference between the approach of the JDA (Juvenile Delinquents Act) and the YOA (Youth Offenders Act) regarding youth?
What is the core difference between the approach of the JDA (Juvenile Delinquents Act) and the YOA (Youth Offenders Act) regarding youth?
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What is the main principle behind the "crime-control perspective" on youth crime as outlined by the YCJA?
What is the main principle behind the "crime-control perspective" on youth crime as outlined by the YCJA?
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The UN Committee's review of Canada's children's rights criticized the Conservative government's crime-control approach for being too lenient.
The UN Committee's review of Canada's children's rights criticized the Conservative government's crime-control approach for being too lenient.
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Which of the following is NOT a commonly used source of information for measuring youth crime?
Which of the following is NOT a commonly used source of information for measuring youth crime?
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What are the limitations of relying solely on police statistics as a measure of youth crime?
What are the limitations of relying solely on police statistics as a measure of youth crime?
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Which type of criminal activity is the most commonly reported among youth?
Which type of criminal activity is the most commonly reported among youth?
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Victimization surveys are generally considered more reliable than self-report surveys when measuring youth crime.
Victimization surveys are generally considered more reliable than self-report surveys when measuring youth crime.
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What is the "telescopic effect" as it pertains to victimization surveys, and why is it a concern?
What is the "telescopic effect" as it pertains to victimization surveys, and why is it a concern?
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According to Bartner, why may official statistics not provide a true representation of youth involvement in serious crime?
According to Bartner, why may official statistics not provide a true representation of youth involvement in serious crime?
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Bartner suggests that the belief that middle-class youth are less likely to commit serious crimes can lead to more lenient treatment from police.
Bartner suggests that the belief that middle-class youth are less likely to commit serious crimes can lead to more lenient treatment from police.
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The text suggests that overall crime levels have been steadily increasing in recent years.
The text suggests that overall crime levels have been steadily increasing in recent years.
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What are the main arguments made against the claim that the YCJA (Youth Criminal Justice Act) is responsible for increasing crime rates?
What are the main arguments made against the claim that the YCJA (Youth Criminal Justice Act) is responsible for increasing crime rates?
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How does the text describe the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of youth crime?
How does the text describe the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of youth crime?
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Flashcards
Youth Crime
Youth Crime
Criminal behavior exhibited by individuals typically aged 12-17.
School Violence
School Violence
Acts of violence that occur on school property or during school events.
Media Influence
Media Influence
The role of media in shaping public perception of youth crime.
Young Offenders Act (YOA)
Young Offenders Act (YOA)
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Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)
Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)
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Swarming
Swarming
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Joyriding
Joyriding
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Youth Advocate
Youth Advocate
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Law and Order Perspective
Law and Order Perspective
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Nunn Commission
Nunn Commission
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Causes of Youth Crime
Causes of Youth Crime
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Victorian Public Issue
Victorian Public Issue
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Juvenile Delinquents Act (JDA)
Juvenile Delinquents Act (JDA)
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Parens Patriae
Parens Patriae
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Status Offences
Status Offences
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Shift to Crime-Control Model
Shift to Crime-Control Model
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Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice
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Children's Rights
Children's Rights
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Public Panic
Public Panic
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Measuring Youth Crime
Measuring Youth Crime
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Self-Report Surveys
Self-Report Surveys
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Victimization Surveys
Victimization Surveys
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Profiling Youth Crime
Profiling Youth Crime
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Validity and Reliability
Validity and Reliability
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Penal Populism
Penal Populism
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Crime Rates and Legislation
Crime Rates and Legislation
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Youth Responsibility
Youth Responsibility
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Provincial Age Limits
Provincial Age Limits
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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.