The Rate For Youth Committing Extremely Violent Crime

Although the rate for youth committing extremely violent crimes have been low, it is still a disturbing deed that happens in Canada. Violent crimes are described by the Province of Ontario as: â€Å"...a composite measure that includes homicide, attempted homicide, assaults, sexual assaults and robbery.† (Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, 2013). There are many different reasons why these type of crimes could occur before adulthood. Some factors that could cause this type of behaviour are: possession of a weapon, the influence of the media, and the influences of their family and friends. Firstly, when youth are in possession of a weapon, they are more likely to commit a violent crime. If a weapon is readily available and on hand†¦show more content†¦This would result because of youth males being involved in gangs. Youth believe that there is safety in numbers and it can be said that they join gangs looking for protection. â€Å"Gun violence is also more prevalent among street gangs that involve primarily young men less than 30 years of age† (Public Safety Canada, 2014). Thus, having guns readily available, either through homes, gangs or when a young person happens to come across one, can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. A way to combat this issue would be to have more gun education and more strict gun laws. It should not be easy to attain a firearm or easy to attain a license for them. Additionally, the media influences that youth witness everyday - television, movies, video games - can all desensitize young minds. â€Å"The typical American ch ild will view more than 200,000 acts of violence, including more than 16,000 murders before age 18. Television programs display 812 violent acts per hour; children s programming, particularly cartoons, displays up to 20 violent acts hourly.† (Beresin, 2015). Witnessing this kind of violence everyday can make it seem like it is a normal, everyday thing. â€Å"Certain elements of television, music videos, video games, movies, pornography, sports, and the military glorify violence and contribute to a desensitization among viewers.† (Kelly Totten, 2002, pg. 15). It makes it seem like it would be okay to commit an act of violence. The media portrays these types of scenes and