Youth Crime in Canada

Paper Summary:

The paper presents a detailed examination of youth crime in Canada and how the media promotes fear in the way it presents the problem to the public. The paper describes how the media's focus on crime has created a moral panic throughout the country, in which people believe that juveniles are a dangerous threat to the safety of adults. The writer explores several academic journals on the topic and concludes that part of the nation's fear of juveniles with regard to crime is caused by the media's decision to over-cover crimes in which juveniles are involved.

Outline:
Introduction
The Trend
Analysis
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"For the past several years it has appeared that youth crime is on the rise throughout Canada. Whether it is an increase in truancy, shoplifting or more violent crimes including school shootings, the nation seems to be faced with a significant rise in the number of juvenile offenders willing to commit illegal acts(Gaetz, 2004). Recently, the Canadian legislators have moved toward increasing the punishments for juvenile offenders in the hopes that it will deter future young people from deciding on a life of crime, however, the media continues to report issues involving teens."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Doob, Anthony N. and Julian Roberts 1988 Public punitiveness and public knowledge of the facts: Some Canadian Surveys. In N. Walker and M. Hough (eds.), Public Attitudes to Sentencing. Aldershot: Gower.
• Gaetz, Stephen (2004) Safe streets for whom? Homeless youth, social exclusion, and criminal victimization.(Canada) Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice;
• Hylton, John H (1994) Get tough or get smart? Options for Canada's youth justice system in the twenty-first century. (The Young Offenders Act - Ten Years After Implementation) Canadian Journal of Criminology
• Schissel, Bernard (1997) Youth crime, moral panics, and the news: the conspiracy against the marginalized in Canada. ('moral panic' caused by increased incidence of youth crime in Canada, and young offenders identified as coming from homes led by single mothers and racial minorities)(Reconfiguring Power: Challenges for the 21st Century) Journal of Social Justice
• Sprott, Jane B (1996) Understanding public views of youth crime and the youth justice system.(Canada) Canadian Journal of Criminology

More papers on Youth Crime in Canada:

• Analytical Essay # 136501 : "Attitudes on Youth Crime in Canada"
• Term Paper # 132916 : "Crime in Canada"
• Essay # 16329 : "Youth Justice in Canada"

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