NCJ Number
126377
Journal
Maclean's Volume: 102 Issue: 21 Dated: (May 21, 1989) Pages: 36-42
Date Published
1989
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the increased incidence in major cities of Canada of youth violence involving acts of intimidation, aggression, robbery, and even murder.
Abstract
It examines the reasons that black, Latin American, Asian, and middle class caucasian youth participate in gang membership. Survival response to the psychological trauma experienced in their homeland and to the new language and awareness of being a minority in Canada is given as an explanation for the Asian youth. Although many gangs consist of minority members, in Toronto, membership also includes youth from higher social and economic classes. Affluent Toronto youth seem drawn to gangs for the thrills, risks, power and dominance as well as the disintegration of traditional family values. To further examine youth violence, life in Club Focus, a description of Toronto's most notorious youth gang is provided.