Youth Crime

Young people are often led to crime due to harsh conditions of street life such as hunger, homelessness, and lack of job opportunities. Cities play an active role in shaping these conditions and can contribute to the problem or be part of the solution. Collective efficacy, or the strength of social connections within a community, can help prevent crime. Early intervention programs show promise in addressing risk factors, but their effectiveness depends on the context and buy-in from parents. Locus of control, or the belief in personal agency, is linked to lower rates of crime, regardless of neighborhood conditions. Family structure also influences locus of control. Police have a complex role in both enforcing the law and supporting young people. Police cautions provide second chances, but discretion in issuing them can be influenced by various factors. Hey everyone, and welcome back for another Deep Dive. Today we're tackling a listener question. Ooh, exciting. It is. It's a big one, though. Yeah. The question is, what leads young people to crime? And what role do cities play in all of this? That is a big question. It is. But thankfully, this listener sent us a really interesting collection of sources. I was really impressed. Yeah, to help us kinda unpack it. So let's give everyone a quick overview of what we're working with here. We've got Mean Streets, Youth Crime, and Homelessness. Okay. Which, like the title suggests, looks like it's really going deep into the lives of youth on the street. Right. And then we also have some excerpts from a book about political violence and organized crime, and how those forces can actually intersect with youth crime. Interesting. We've also got some research on youth crime prevention strategies, specifically from the UK. Got it. That focuses on those early intervention programs, and whether or not they actually work. And there's even more. We have a study that's exploring the link between something called Locus of Control. Ooh. And crime. Interesting. And to round things out, we've got some material that examines police work and youth crime, specifically. Of course. From a global perspective. So that's quite a collection. It is. It is. And to make sure we don't get too bogged down in all the details, our mission today is to really distill the most important takeaways. Okay. From each of these sources. Right. And distill nuggets of knowledge that will help you, the listener, understand this complex issue. So we're gonna try to cut through all the jargon. Yes. And highlight those aha moments that make you think differently about youth crime. Exactly. So Mean Streets. This book really grabbed my attention right away. Yeah. It opens with this statistic, and it's pretty shocking. The average age a young person first runs away from home. Oh wow. Is 13 years old. That young? 13 years old. It's in Toronto and Vancouver. Okay. Where the data was collected for this book. So young. So young. And it really sets the stage for the book's main argument. Which is? Which is that the harsh conditions of street life. Yeah. You know, things like hunger, homelessness, lack of job opportunities. Right. Can push young people towards crime. Makes sense. Regardless of their background. Right. So that's like their family history, whether they come from a stable home. Yeah, exactly. They're like that. The street conditions almost become this immediate pressure. It's like foreground factor, as the book calls it. A foreground factor. That can overshadow other influences. Like you said, family history or personal choices. Which they would call a background factor. Yeah, exactly. So background versus foreground. And what I find so compelling is how the book brings this argument to life. To these real stories. Oh, interesting. Of young people struggling to survive on the streets. That's like what kind of stories? Well, for example. There's this one story about a youth who stole hospital blankets. Oh, wow. Because they had nowhere to sleep. And they were desperate for warmth. It makes sense. Right. And then there's another one about a young person who engaged in prostitution just to get a meal. Oh. Because they were so hungry. So crime may feel like the only option for some of these kids. Exactly. Yeah. And it really highlights the desperation that many street youth face. Absolutely. And it also raises the question, for me at least. What can we do to prevent these situations in the first place? That's a really good question. And how do cities themselves contribute to the problem? Right. Are they part of the problem? Or are they part of the solution? Exactly. And that leads us perfectly into our next source. Okay. Because Mean Streets actually compares youth crime in Toronto and Vancouver. Two cities with very different approaches to social welfare. Interesting. What's interesting is that the book found that Toronto, which has a much more robust social safety net, actually has lower rates of street crime among youth compared to Vancouver. And this actually connects to a broader point that's made in that source about political violence and youth crime. Okay. Cities aren't just passive backdrops. You know, where crime happens, they're actually active agents. Right, they shape the conditions. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. The policies they enact, the economic opportunities they provide, the community resources they offer. Right. It all comes together to create this unique set of risk and protective factors. Exactly. For young people. And one concept I think is really important to highlight here. Okay. Is collective efficacy. Collective efficacy. What is that? This comes from that source on youth involvement in crime. Okay. And it really refers to the strength of social connections and shared expectations within a neighborhood. Okay, so like, how strong is the community? Yeah, exactly. It's that sense of community where people look out for each other. Right. And hold each other accountable. Yeah, interesting. So like a strong community. Yeah. Can actually help prevent crime. That's what the research suggests. Oh, so it makes you think about your own city, right? Yeah, absolutely. And what policies or programs could be put in place to maybe strengthen. Yeah. That sense of collective efficacy. To help reduce crime. Exactly. Now, shifting gears a bit. Yeah. You sent in some research on early intervention programs in the UK. Right. And this is a strategy that focuses on addressing risk factors before a child even gets involved in serious crime. Right, like nip it in the bud. Yeah, exactly. It seems intuitive. Yeah. But the research suggests that it's not quite as straightforward as it sounds. It's a little more complicated than that. So what do they find? Well, while some programs like family therapy and mentoring do show promise. Okay. The effectiveness really depends on the context. So it's not a guarantee. No, it's not a one size fits all solution. Gotcha. And it sounds like getting buy-in from everybody can also be a challenge. It can be. Because the source mentions that some parents resist these interventions. They find them to be intrusive or unhelpful. And most importantly, I think the research suggests that just targeting individual behavior without addressing those underlying social inequalities might not be enough. It's about looking at the bigger picture and addressing those systemic issues. So if you were designing an early intervention program, what specific needs would you focus on? That's a great question. And I wanna throw that back to you, listener. What about in your city? Yeah, what would you prioritize? Let us know. Now you sent in this source about locus of control. Oh yeah, this is a fascinating concept. It is, it's a new one for me. Yeah. So fill me in. Locus of control refers to a person's belief about whether they control their own destiny, which is called an internal locus of control, or whether things just happen to them, which is called an external locus of control. I see, so internal is like, I'm in control of my own life. Exactly, you're the captain of your own ship. And external is more like, I'm just along for the ride. Yeah, things happen to me, I don't have much control over them. Okay, I get it. And what's fascinating is that this study found that a strong internal locus of control, that feeling of agency and self-determination, is consistently linked to lower rates of crime. Really? Regardless of what their neighborhood is like. So even if a young person lives in a tough neighborhood, if they have a strong internal locus of control, they're less likely to be involved in crime. That's what the research suggests, yeah. It's almost like a protective factor. Yeah, it's like having a shield against negative influences. Yeah, that's a great way to put it. And it really makes you think about the power of empowering youth. Right. Helping them believe that they can make positive choices and shape their own future. I love that. Yeah. There was one other detail in this study that I thought was interesting. Oh yeah. They mentioned that family structure actually had a bigger impact on locus of control than neighborhood did. Wow, really? So specifically, they found that young people from larger families were more likely to have a weaker internal locus of control. That's a really interesting finding. It is. It's complex. It is. All these different factors coming into play. Absolutely. And speaking of complex interplay. Okay. Let's shift our focus to the role of police in all of this. Okay. Because you sent some material that really delves into this tension between their duty as law enforcers. Right. And their potential role in supporting young people. Yeah, it's a tough balance. It is. Right. On the one hand, they're there to uphold the law. Yeah. Ensure public safety. Right. But on the other hand, they can play a crucial role in diverting young people from the criminal justice system and connecting them with support services. So it's like they have to wear these two hats. They do. Enforcer and helper. And the source that you sent in really digs into how this tension plays out in practice. Okay. Particularly when it comes to the use of police cautions. Police cautions. So these are a way to address low-level offenses without resorting to formal charges. Okay. So they give young people a chance to acknowledge their wrongdoing. Right. Make amends and avoid a criminal record. That's like a second chance. It is. Okay. But a lot of discretion is left to the individual officer when deciding whether to issue a caution. Okay, so it's not just like a policy. Right, it's not a guarantee. Gotcha. And this discretion can be influenced by all sorts of factors. Yeah, like what? Well, the source actually gives a really fascinating example about how police officers' perceptions of the parents, their attitudes, and the home environment can actually impact their decisions to caution a young person. So it's like even in systems that are designed to be objective, human judgment still comes into play. It does. Especially when it comes to young people. It's a really complex issue. It is. And I bet our listener has some thoughts on this too. Absolutely. How do you think police should balance these roles? In youth crime prevention and punishment? Weigh in. Let us know your thoughts. It's something that we grapple with as a society, for sure. For sure. Now to broaden our perspective even further, let's zoom out and look at youth crime on a global scale. Because you sent us a source that examines youth justice systems all around the world, comparing and contrasting how different countries approach this challenge. And what did you find? Well, I was fascinated by the sheer variety of approaches out there. It seems like every country has its own unique mix of policies, programs, and philosophies when it comes to addressing youth crime. Yeah, like I imagine there are some countries that are much more focused on punishment. Absolutely. And others that are more focused on rehabilitation and everything in between. But what's really striking is that even with all these differences, there are some common threads that run through almost every system. What do you mean? Most countries are grappling with this fundamental question. How do we balance the need for accountability with the recognition that young people are still developing and have a greater capacity for change? So it's that tension again. It is. Right, between wanting to hold them accountable but also recognizing that they're still young. Exactly. And they have potential for growth. Exactly. It makes you wonder if there even is a best approach. Right, or if it's always going to be this ongoing balancing act. Trying to find the right mix of interventions and supports. It's a tough question. It is. And unfortunately, there's no easy answer. Right, because what works in one context might even be counterproductive. Right, so we have to move away from these simplistic solutions. Absolutely. We need to embrace a more nuanced understanding of how all these factors. The community and the systemic interact to shape a young person's trajectory. So it's not about just like finding a one-size-fits-all solution. Right. But it's about tailoring our responses. Exactly. To the specific needs. To the individual. Of each young person. And the unique circumstances they face. This is making me think back to those early intervention programs that we were talking about. Absolutely. Because they're not a magic bullet but they can be a powerful tool. They can for diverting young people from the justice system. Right. And fostering that positive development. But we also learned that their effectiveness hinges on all sorts of factors. It's not just about having a program in place. Yes. It's about the quality of the program, the skills and dedication of the people running it, the level of community support and involvement. Right. And perhaps most importantly, the willingness of the young person to engage in the process. It's about all these different things coming together. It is. It's about creating an ecosystem of support. A web of interconnected resources and relationships. I like that, a web of support. Yeah. It's not just one thing. It's not. It takes a village to raise a child. Yeah. And it takes a community to prevent youth crime. And to support young people. Absolutely. In reaching their full potential. Exactly. So, as we start to wrap up this part of our deep dive. Okay. What are the key takeaways you want our listeners to walk away with? Ooh, that's a good question. I think the first and most important takeaway is that youth crime is complex. Absolutely. It's not just about individual choices or bad character. It's about the environments these young people are navigating. Right, the opportunities that they have or don't have. And the challenges they face. Exactly. It's about understanding that individual choices are often shaped by forces much larger than themselves. Those systemic factors like poverty and inequality and lack of access to resources. Exactly. Yeah. And that can create breeding grounds for crime. Absolutely. So, the second takeaway. Yeah. Is that there's no single solution. Right. No magic bullet. No magic bullet that will eradicate youth crime. Right. Effective responses require that nuanced understanding of the individual, the community, and the broader societal forces at play. It's about matching the intervention to the need. Exactly. And not just relying on. Not one-size-fits-all. A one-size-fits-all approach. Exactly. And I think the final takeaway. Yeah. And maybe the most important takeaway. Okay. Is that young people are not problems to be solved. They're not. They're individuals with potential. Absolutely. With dreams, with aspirations, and with a capacity for change. Right. That we so often underestimate. And that brings us to a question we wanna leave you with, listener. Okay. If we acknowledge that youth crime is often a symptom of deeper social problems, what is our responsibility in addressing those root causes? What actions can we take as individuals, as communities, to create a world where every young person. Yeah. Has a real chance to succeed. That is a question worth pondering, for sure. It is. It is a big question. A challenge worth embracing. And one that I think we'll continue to grapple with as we continue this conversation. Absolutely. It feels like we're starting to really unravel this issue. We are. All these different factors, individual choices. Yeah. Social factors. Absolutely. Even global forces. It's all interconnected. They all kind of intertwine. Yeah. To shape the landscape of youth crime. And that's what I find so fascinating about this deep dive. Yeah. We're really peeling back the layers. Yeah, we are. To reveal that intricate web of influences at play. Exactly. We haven't even touched on that source. Oh, right. That compares youth crime and justice systems across the globe. Globally, yeah. One thing that really stood out to me was this incredible variation. Oh, yeah. In how different countries actually define when a young person is legally responsible for a crime. In some places, it's as young as seven years old. Wow, that's a lot. That they can be held criminally responsible. That's really young. It is. It makes you think about how cultural values and societal norms really shape our perceptions of childhood. Right. Accountability. Yeah. Justice. It's a huge question, right? Yeah. When is someone really old enough to be held accountable for their actions? Exactly, because in some cultures, there's such a strong emphasis on protecting children from those harsh realities of the legal system. Yeah, for as long as possible. Whereas in other cultures, the focus might shift a little earlier. I do, to consequences. In fact. Are we seeing them responsible for those actions? It's fascinating to see those different approaches. It is. Are we seeing young people as vulnerable? Right. In need of protection? Yeah. Or are we seeing them as agents? Right. Who need to be held accountable? It's that tension. And this. Between care and control. Exactly. And that tension. Right. Is really reflected in the range of approaches we see globally. Absolutely. Some countries lean really heavily on punishment. Okay. Right. Some countries emphasize incarceration, harsh penalties. Right, even for young offenders. Even for young offenders. Whereas other countries prioritize rehabilitation. Yeah. Reintegration. Okay. Focusing on providing young people with the support. Right. And opportunities they need to kind of turn their lives around. It's like this giant menu of options. It is. It's a buffet of approaches. And they all have their own. Right. Potential benefits. Yeah. Drawbacks. Is there even a best approach? Right. Or is it always gonna be this ongoing search? Yeah. For the right balance? It's a tough one. It's a million dollar question. It is. And unfortunately, there's no easy answer. Right. Because what works in one context. Right. Might be completely ineffective. Or even counterproductive. Yeah. In another. So the key. Yeah. Is to move away from those simplistic solutions. Absolutely. And really try to. Yeah. Embrace this more nuanced understanding. Right. Right. We need to be thinking about all the different factors. Yeah. The community and the systemic. That all interact. Okay. To shape that young person's trajectory. So it's not about finding that one size fits all solution. Exactly. It's more about tailoring our responses. Right. To the specific needs of each young person. And the unique circumstances they face. This makes me think back to those early intervention programs that we were talking about. Yeah. They're not a magic bullet. They're not. But they can be a powerful tool. They can. Right. For diverting young people. Right. From the justice system. Absolutely. And fostering that positive development. Yeah. But their effectiveness. Right. Hinges on a multitude of factors. It does. It's not just about having a program. Yeah. Right. It's about the quality. The quality. The skills of the people running it. The level of community support and involvement. Right. And maybe most importantly. The young person's willingness. Yeah. To actually engage in the process. It's about all these different things coming together. Yeah. It's about creating this ecosystem. Yeah. Of support. A web of. A web. Right. Of interconnected resources and relationships. That wrap around a young person. Exactly. And give them that support. And that scaffolding. That scaffolding. Yeah. I love that analogy. Right. It takes a village to raise a child. Yeah. It takes a community to prevent youth crime. And to support young people. Absolutely. Reaching their full potential. That's right. Wow. It feels like we've really gone deep on this question. Yeah, we have. Exploring all these different angles. It's multi-faceted. For sure. How everything's connected. Yep. You know, the individual choices and the social factors. Absolutely. And those larger forces. Yeah. That are shaping the landscape of youth crime. It's been a really fascinating journey, hasn't it? It has. Yeah. And it's amazing how much we've been able to cover. Yeah. Just from these sources that you sent in. I know, right? Yeah. Like we've moved from those gritty streets of Toronto and Vancouver to the halls of power where those policies are made. Yeah. And then we zoomed out. Right. To consider that global context. Right. Of youth crime and just how. And through it all, we've uncovered these threads of connection. Right, those common themes. Right, like the idea that crime can come from a sense of powerlessness. Right, that feeling of being trapped. Yeah. In circumstances beyond your control. We saw that in Mean Streets. Absolutely. Right. People resorting to crime out of desperation. Just to survive. Just trying to survive. And it makes me think about that concept of locus of control again. Right, that belief in one's own agency. Right, because when young people feel like they have no control. Yeah. It seems like they're more likely. Absolutely. To make choices that might be harmful. Because those choices feel like the only options available. Right. So fostering that sense of agency. Yes. Empowering young people. Exactly. That's so crucial. It's a key piece of the puzzle. Yeah, and that empowerment can come from so many sources. It can, strong and supportive families. Yeah. Pairing and connected communities. Access to education. Right, quality education. Meaningful opportunity. And that sense of belonging and purpose. Yeah. That gives their lives direction. That's powerful. It is, it's about creating a world. Yeah. Where young people feel seen, heard, and valued. Where their voices matter. Yeah. Absolutely, it's about shifting that narrative. Yeah. From problem youth to youth potential. I love that. Right. Recognizing that they have so much to offer. Much to give. Right, and it's about investing in that potential. Yes. Not just with words. Right. But with real action. With action, creating those environments. Yeah. Where young people can thrive. Yeah, where they have the support and resources they need. Exactly. To make positive choices. And build fulfilling lives. It's about seeing youth crime, not as a problem to be solved, but as a symptom. Yeah. Of these deeper issues. Of those systemic failures. That we need to address. Which brings us full circle to that question we asked earlier. Okay. If we acknowledge that youth crime is often a reflection of those systemic failures. Yeah. What is our responsibility? Ooh, right. What is our role in addressing those root causes? Right, what can we do? As individuals. As communities. To create a more just and equitable world. Where everyone has that opportunity to flourish. That's the question we want to leave you with. That's a big one. It is. It's a question that should stay with you. It will. Long after this deep dive is over. It's a call to action. It is. An invitation to reflect. Yeah. On our own roles and responsibilities. Absolutely. In shaping the future. The future we want to see. That we want to see for young people. And it's a reminder. Yeah. That the answers aren't simple. Right. The solutions won't come easily. They take time. It's gonna require effort, collaboration, and a willingness to challenge our own assumptions. Our own biases. Yeah. For sure. Yeah. But the stakes are high. They are. And the rewards are immeasurable. So as we wrap up this deep dive. Yeah. We want to leave you with that sense of hope. Yeah. A belief that change is possible. And a commitment. To creating a world where every young person has a chance. To reach their full potential. Thanks for joining us. Thanks for being here. On this journey. It's been a good one. It has.