ETHNIC DIVERSITY AND YOUTH OFFENDING: AN EXAMINATION OF RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS

Abstract

This study examined risk and protective factors for criminal reoffending behaviour among a group of Canadian young people who had committed at least one substantive criminal offence in the past and fell into one of four ethnic groups: (a) Canadian born, parents Canadian born; (b) Aboriginal/Métis; (c) first or second generation immigrant, Caucasian; and (d) first or second generation immigrant, other ethnic background. Risk and protective factors were classified into five domains: individual; family; peer; school; and community. Consistent with previous research, the findings did not reveal many instances where statistically significant differences existed in the presence of risk and protective factors across ethnic groups; however, significant differences that were observed were across a wide range of variables. The implications of the findings within the context of previous research in this area are discussed.

Keywords

• youth offending
• ethnic diversity
• risk factors
• protective factors