Systemic Influences of Newcomer Violence in Canada

Abstract

As a result of the perception that newcomer youths are inherently dangerous, there is a limited understanding of the systemic factors in Canadian society that contribute to newcomer youths susceptibility to involvement in criminal activity or violence. Therefore, there is also limited information about what can be done to better support newcomer youths that are vulnerable to involvement in dangerous or illegal activity. It is my contention that while existing research is valuable in that it discusses how family, education, and community impact newcomer youth violence, the degree to which these factors are systemic is under-represented. In order to adequately intervene and prevent newcomer youth violence and criminal activity it is necessary to avoid demonizing the individual and, instead, focus on holding public policy accountable and changing social, political, and economic systems.