The Business of Placing Canadian Children and Youth “At-Risk”

This article examines discourses and practices associated with designating some children and youth as being “at-risk” of academic and social failure in and out of school. To respond effectively to “at-risk” learners requires a refocusing of policy and research, an informed political and administrative will, effective use of sufficient resources, and systematic co- ordination of existing knowledge bases. We explore effective strategies based on a social justice vision of schooling and child development, arguing for an integrated understanding of and approach to child and youth-related activities and initiatives across school, community, socio-structural, and public policy spheres. L’article traite des discours et des pratiques associés au fait de désigner certains enfants et jeunes comme des personnes « à risque » à l’école et dans la société. Si l’on veut répondre aux besoins des apprenants « à risque », il faut une réorientation des politiques et des recherches, une volonté politique éclairée, des ressources suffisantes judicieusement utilisées et une coordination systématique des bases de connaissances existantes. Les auteurs explorent des stratégies efficaces fondées sur une vision de l’éducation et du développement de l’enfant axée sur la justice sociale. Ils prônent une approche intégrée des activités et des initiatives à l’école, dans la collectivité, dans les sphères sociostructurelles et en matière de politiques publiques.

The Effects of social and economic context on attitudes toward immigration

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Youth crime in the context of family, education, and the law

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Globalization, justice and the demonization of youth

In recent years, policy changes implemented by the Canadian government-- including the proportionate reduction of monies spent on health, education, and social programs—have had a direct impact on the youth criminal justice system in Canada. These policy changes have had a direct impact on Canadian youth who are, in many ways, the most disenfranchised citizens in Canadian society. We discuss the evolution of the Canadian youth justice system and the implementation of the Youth Criminal Justice System and analyze how public policy and public sentiment work together to legitimate the identification and management of specific groups targeted as problematic. In the end, we theorize on the place that children and youth hold in the global world and argue that global capital creates a context in which the labour of children and youth is vital to global economics but devalued in the eyes of the world. We relate the ideological condemnation of children and youth by the justice system to their exploited place in the global labour market.Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Grant number 41-095-153