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The Criminalization and Control of Youth in Canada: A History

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Youth Criminal Justice Policy in Canada

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Criminology ((BRIEFSCRIMINOL))

Abstract

This chapter provides a historical summary of key legislation supporting societal responses to youth crime in Canada. It highlights the changing nature of perceptions of youth over time, and the contemporary emphasis on the rights of society and individual responsibility. Specifically, the history of youth crime legislation in Canada reflects a gradual shift away from the attitude that children were no different than adults, through a period where children were seen as in need of protection and welfare, to a situation today which attempts to balance the rights of society with those of the young offender while recognizing, in principle, that the root causes of much crime are social. Increasingly, however, we may be witnessing a transition in youth crime legislation reflecting a “get tough” punishment oriented ethos, at the same time, paradoxically, as we are embracing the idea of “getting tough” on the causes of crime.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Actually, the term parens patriae translates to “father of the country,” or “parent of the state,” but the term essentially means that the state should act as a wise, kind but stern father.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 55 Bond Street East, Oshawa, Ontario, L1G OA5, Canada

    Shahid Alvi

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  1. Shahid Alvi
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Alvi, S. (2012). The Criminalization and Control of Youth in Canada: A History. In: Youth Criminal Justice Policy in Canada. SpringerBriefs in Criminology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0273-3_1

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