NCJ Number
135820
Journal
Criminologie Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: special issue (Summer 1990) Pages: 41-74
Date Published
1990
Length
33 pages
Annotation
The article analyzes interpersonal physical violence of Quebec juveniles in the 1980's.
Abstract
Official statistics and surveys show that Quebec experienced an increase in the number of juvenile violent offenses, although their percentage has remained stable at 1.27 to 2.14 percent of all juvenile offenses. Factors responsible for this increase include the greater number of juveniles in the overall population, increased immigration leading to the emergence of juvenile gangs, single family households, and other social changes. A longitudinal study of male juveniles from Montreal indicates that their violence was a short-term, rarely repeated form of behavior which appeared late in a cycle of non-violent delinquent behavior. Other studies have also established a link between childhood aggression, adolescent use of violence, and adult violence. The article suggests several preventive measures to improve the situation in Quebec: helping young immigrants in their integration into society, creating more opportunities for positive juvenile interaction, helping juveniles in their adjustment to the work place, and controlling the activities of juvenile gangs. 53 references