Youth Violence - Why the big lies?
It's horrible when you have family or friends who are the victims of out-of-control violent young people, or older people for that matter. Lock em' up and throw away the key. Don't put me in charge. I will go way further than you would.
BUT Have you ever wondered if youth crime is really “out of control”? Have you seen the statistics or are you just going off what you’ve heard in the media or maybe noticed in your community?
You could be the victim of confirmation bias, or something much more evil!
Perception and reality can often differ when it comes to social issues like youth crime. There are several reasons why it may seem like youth crime is out of control even if the statistics suggest otherwise.
Media plays a significant role in shaping public perception. Instances of youth crime are often sensationalized and given extensive coverage, which can create the impression that it is more prevalent than it actually is. Negative news stories tend to attract more attention and can amplify public concerns.
The rise of social media platforms has made information more accessible and has given a platform to individual voices. People can share their experiences and opinions, which can contribute to the perception of increasing youth crime. Social media can amplify certain incidents and create the impression of a widespread problem.
As societies change and grow, perceptions of crime can also shift. If there are changes in the population composition, such as an increase in the number of young people, it may create the perception that youth crime is on the rise, even if the actual crime rates remain stable.
Fear of crime can be influenced by various factors, such as personal experiences, community dynamics, and public discourse. When individuals feel fearful or anxious about their safety, they may perceive crime, including youth crime, as more prevalent than it actually is.
None of this actually means that youth crime is on the rise. The truth is, you don’t know.
Youth crime has always been and I hate admit it, is likely to always be a factor in our community.
Until we start addressing the root causes, we as a community will always be bandaiding the symptoms
So where is the evil?
There is a political imperative for leaders, especially those in opposition, (no matter which party that might be) to overstate many of the negative aspects of our community, that’s how they build dissatisfaction with the current government and build their case for electoral success. Simple formula.
By emphasizing the issue and presenting themselves as tough on crime, they may appeal to certain voter demographics who prioritize law and order. It gives an illusion of control.
Portraying youth crime as a significant problem can also serve as a justification for introducing or advocating for stricter laws and policies. It creates a sense of urgency and the perception that action is necessary to address the issue. But does this actually work?
Politicians may focus on youth crime to shift public attention away from other pressing problems or policy failures. By highlighting youth crime, they can redirect blame or responsibility onto a specific group, rather than taking accountability for larger societal issues.
I understand that politicians may genuinely believe that youth crime is a significant concern based on the feedback they receive from constituents or the media. Addressing public concerns about crime can be a way for politicians to demonstrate their commitment to public safety and gain public trust.
It is important to critically evaluate the claims made by politicians and seek evidence-based information to form an informed opinion. While some politicians may exaggerate the issue for political gain, others genuinely aim to address real concerns regarding youth crime.
How do you tell the difference?
Combatting the perception that youth crime is out of control requires a multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders.
The first think you can do is to ensure you have available to you accurate and reliable statistical data on youth crime rates. Governments, law enforcement agencies, and research organizations should proactively share updated and comprehensive information to counter misconceptions and provide a realistic understanding of the situation. Do you know where to find this data?
On your part, you can also encourage responsible and balanced reporting on youth crime. Media outlets can play a vital role in providing accurate information, highlighting positive youth initiatives, and avoiding sensationalism that perpetuates the perception of rampant youth crime.
You can also engage in dialogue. Foster open and constructive discussions among communities, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and youth themselves. Encourage public forums, town halls, or community meetings where concerns and perceptions can be addressed, and accurate information can be shared. Are you doing your bit?
You could also promote positive youth engagement. Highlight and support positive youth programs, initiatives, and success stories. Showcasing the achievements and contributions of young people can counter negative stereotypes and demonstrate the vast majority of youth who are law-abiding and positively engaged in their communities. What are you actually doing about this issue that has people hiding in their houses afraid to go out.
We should all be looking for collaborative approaches. Encourage collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, schools, and law enforcement. By working together, they can develop and implement evidence-based strategies that address the underlying factors contributing to youth crime while also addressing public concerns.
Education is inextricably linked to youth crime. Invest in comprehensive education and prevention programs that address risk factors associated with youth crime, such as poverty, lack of education, substance abuse, and social exclusion. By addressing these root causes, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of youth engaging in criminal activities. Where is this mentioned in the fear campaigns we are served up by our leaders? Politicians already know this. Why are they saying the opposite?
Does restorative justice work? Have we even tried it? What we could be doing instead of kneejerk demands for harsher penalties for youth crime is promote restorative justice approaches that focus on rehabilitating young offenders, providing support and resources to help them reintegrate into society. These approaches prioritize accountability, victim reparation, and addressing the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behaviour.
Let’s look at the one factor that is so often skipped over when talking about youth crime! (Why is that I wonder?) The root causes of youth crime are undeniably complex and multifaceted, often stemming from a combination of individual, family, community, and societal factors. While it's challenging to pinpoint specific causes for every case, some common underlying factors that contribute to youth crime include:
• Socioeconomic Disadvantage
• Family Influences:
• Peer Influence:
• Substance Abuse:
• Mental Health Issues:
• Social Exclusion:
• Community Factors
• Education Limitations
Poverty, income inequality, and lack of economic opportunities can create an environment where young people may turn to crime as a means of survival or to obtain material goods they feel are otherwise unattainable.
Dysfunctional family dynamics, including parental neglect, abuse, substance abuse, or criminal behaviour, can increase the risk of youth involvement in crime. Lack of positive parental role models and inadequate supervision may leave young people vulnerable to negative influences.
Peer pressure and association with delinquent peers can play a significant role in influencing young people to engage in criminal activities. Negative peer relationships can reinforce criminal behaviours and lead to a cycle of delinquency.
Substance abuse, including alcohol and drug addiction, is often intertwined with youth crime. Substance abuse can impair judgment, increase impulsivity, and contribute to criminal behaviour, as individuals may commit crimes to support their addiction or engage in substance-related offenses.
Undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorders, such as conduct disorders, ADHD, or depression, can contribute to youth crime. These disorders can affect behaviour, decision-making, and impulse control, increasing the likelihood of engaging in criminal activities.
Marginalization, discrimination, or social exclusion based on factors like race, ethnicity, or immigration status can create feelings of alienation and resentment, leading some young individuals to turn to criminal activities as a form of rebellion or expression of frustration.
High crime rates, limited community resources, inadequate social support systems, and a lack of positive recreational opportunities can contribute to the prevalence of youth crime. Communities with high levels of violence and criminality may normalize criminal behaviour and make it more accessible to young people.
Read this next bit slowly. All of the above issues have a direct and proven link to the next issue
Limited access to quality education, low educational attainment, and high dropout rates can significantly impact a young person's future prospects. Educational disadvantages can contribute to frustration, limited employment opportunities, and a sense of hopelessness, increasing the likelihood of engaging in criminal behaviour.
There it is!
Education is the one and only proven beyond doubt, cure for youth crime.
Why is no one talking about this?
It takes about 10-15 years to make a turnaround.
It takes some significant political willpower
It takes away the political imperative to fearmonger a politicians way into office,
But there it is.
If that isn’t evil I don’t know what is.
So with all of that in mind, let’s think about what harsher penalties actually achieve.
Trigger warning: the “lock em’ up” mob won’t like these plain and simple facts.
While it may seem intuitive that increasing the severity of punishments would act as a deterrent, the effectiveness of harsher penalties in reducing youth crime could not be further than reality.
Harsher penalties are based on the assumption that they will deter individuals from engaging in criminal behaviour. That’s never happened in the history of ever. Research on deterrence theory has shown the opposite, with some studies suggesting that the certainty and swiftness of punishment have a greater impact on deterrence than the severity of the penalty itself.
Youth crime often involves young individuals who are still in the process of cognitive and emotional development. Punitive measures do not adequately consider the unique characteristics of youth, such as their limited decision-making skills, susceptibility to peer influence, and capacity for rehabilitation. Overly harsh punishments can actually increase recidivism rate.
To be clear, that’s the exact opposite of what you wanted.
Implementing harsher penalties for youth crime can have many other unintended negative consequences. It may contribute to a "school-to-prison pipeline," disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and perpetuating cycles of incarceration. Harsh penalties may also hinder a young person's ability to reintegrate into society, limiting their educational and employment prospects and again increases the likelihood of reoffending.
Again, that’s the exact opposite of what you wanted.
So what’s the answer?
It isn’t fear mongering.
It isn’t harsher penalties
Systemic factors that contribute to youth crime, are the only thing proven to work. It starts with lack of access to education and creates a negative spiral of poverty, inequality, rage and a lifetime of crime and social dependence
As a community, instead of improving the limited social supports, we pander to vigilantism and discount it all as someone else’s problem.
Addressing these root causes is crucial for long-term crime prevention and reducing the likelihood of youth involvement in criminal activities.
Let’s say we should go for some middle ground. Maybe we should start with education, get that back on track for future generations. And maybe while that’s taking a decade to get some results, maybe our goal should be to strike a balance between accountability and rehabilitation.
If that’s not the message coming form our leaders, do your bit, hold them accountable!
Let’s get at the real evil !