A Punitive Melting Pot? Race, Immigration and Attitudes towards Punishment in Canada

• In Event: Identity, Immigration, and Perceptions of Crime and Justice

Abstract

Do immigrant attitudes towards criminal punishment evolve as a result of normal settlement and assimilation processes? This paper explores this question using data from a 2007 survey of Toronto residents. The results suggest that Chinese respondents are significantly more punitive than Black and White respondents after statistically controlling for immigration status, years in Canada and social class. Furthermore, while White and Black immigrants become less punitive with time, the punitiveness of Chinese respondents remains unchanged. Additional results findings that perceptions of criminal and social injustice, direct and vicarious experiences with racial profiling and socio-structural beliefs about crime causation are related to less punitive attitudes. By contrast, fear of crime, positive attitudes towards the police and the belief that crime is caused by individual weaknesses are related to more punitive attitudes. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.

Authors

• Samantha Aeby, University of Toronto

• Scot Wortley, University of Toronto